Jack Ross' Tannadice torture has come to a ruthless end after just 10 weeks in charge. But hurting Dundee United fans reckon it’s not just the manager who should be shown the door after a five game losing streak that saw them ship 23 goals including nine to Celtic on Sunday.
Davie Kirkpatrick, Dundee, said: “So Ross has fallen on his sword and no wonder after that three-week catastrophe. Unfortunately the players who were as much, if not more so, to blame are still there. Good luck to whoever takes on the challenge of saving this season. They’ll need it.” Bill Park, Bathgate, added: “Someone should tell the Dundee United players that under the rules of football you’re allowed to tackle your opponents. Their display against Celtic was disgraceful and demoralising for their supporters.”
Tim Gibbens is already turning his attention to the next man in charge and emailed: “Dundee United’s next manager should be Kevin Thomson. We need to go back to basics and he’s just the type that could have the team playing with some pride. He’s available, credible and ambitious. However, going by its recent track record, the Dundee United board will no doubt opt for someone like John Hughes.”
It didn’t take long for the calls to turn to the looming Old Firm clash at Parkhead. Refereeing decisions, European results and Dundee United’s performance against Celtic were all thrown into the argument as the pre-match point scoring ramped up.
Celtic fan John Wright, Motherwell, said: “Joke of the week goes to Hotline caller John Bruce . Never has so much drivel been said about Rangers having to fight for every ball to win games rather than facing ‘tame footballers and lame officials’. As usual Rangers fans are delusional. Roll on Saturday.”
And George Robinson emailed: “Paranoid John Bruce’s comments are a joy to read, the guy is a nervous wreck. Notice there was no ref complaints this week from him, strange that.”
But Alfie Mullin, London, bit back: “You've got to laugh at these deluded Celtic supporters who think Rangers will be scared of their team. Aye, they got a good result on Sunday but who were they playing? I expect Dundee United are going back down to the Championship.”
David Bryce, Troon, said: “I would urge all Celtic supporters not to get carried away. Yes we were electrifying against Dundee United however they performed like a pub team. Far stiffer tests lie ahead against Ross County, Rangers and Real Madrid. It would be sheer folly not buy a holding midfielder. The current midfield is far too lightweight and will be found out against quality opposition.”
Robert Brown, Bellshill, said: “Chris Sutton said Celtic qualified for the Champions League group stage because they won the league and deserve to go straight into the group stages. That’s utter rubbish, they went into the group stage because of Rangers’ results in Europe for the past couple of years raising the Scottish coefficient.”
And on a similar track John Bruce emailed: “In 2022 Rangers have beaten Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, Braga, RB Leipzig, USG and PSV Eindhoven in Europe. Not a bad haul of major scalps. Conversely, in 2022 Celtic haven't won in Europe at all. So, especially after last season's spectacular failures in all European competitions, it's difficult to understand the Celtic fans' lofty confidence going in to their Champions League group games, especially with the current cup holders in their group.”
Finally, John Steel emailed with a novel idea for the introduction of video refs. He said: “When VAR comes in why do they not get ex-footballers to run it like Willie Miller or Ally McCoist, people who know what the games all about, or ex-players from another country so theres not any biased towards certain clubs. There will still be arguments over decisions though and it will just ruin the flow of certain games.”
