One of the biggest Rangers vs Celtic clashes for years is now just a matter of days away as the Premiership title race hits top gear.
Yet it’s the derby 10,500 miles across the planet and eight months down the line which is still causing the Hotline to go into overdrive.
Rangers' involvement with Celtic in the Sydney Super Cup is the argument that will never go away.
John Bruce emailed: "It's not difficult to understand why Rangers fans don't want the game in Australia to go ahead.
"What is difficult to understand is why the Celtic fans, and especially their club, are so desperate for it. The same fans who refuse to use the term 'Old Firm' and now call it 'the derby' and the same club that said ‘we're not half of anything’. Could it be that, because Celtic flopped so spectacularly in Europe again and don't have much European income, they need the money?"
Dr Robert Pender emailed: "Living down south and seeing English clubs take every opportunity to make money, now that Rangers have a chance to boost their coffers it causes uproar. Why?
"Is it because Celtic made the announcement as if they were inviting Rangers to their tournament? It speaks a little bit of winding up the Rangers family. There are lots of English clubs would welcome Rangers during the World Cup and the money shared would top the Australia offer."
Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, said: "If Rangers make decent money from this game then why not go for it? It’s not as if we are rolling in it. We are a big team that’s trying to rebuild its finances without loans."
And Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: "You would think Rangers fans would be happy to play in Australia and earn some money to pay off their loans. And to caller Andy Adams, who said you can’t win manager of the year if you don’t win the league - Mark Warburton won it in 2016 for winning absolutely nothing."
For the point of accuracy Warburton did lead Rangers to the Championship title and the Challenge Cup that season.
On to Sunday’s Old Firm at Ibrox now and with three points separating Celtic and the top and Rangers in second, it’s all to play for.
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: "The Hotline will be full of if and buts leading up to big game on Sunday. It’s a must win for Rangers and Celtic would settle for a draw. One for thing is for certain, while the Rangers board power struggle carries on Celtic will go about their business with no distractions. Rangers could make a fortune if Dave King and Douglas Park were to go toe-to-toe in a public debate – it would fill Ibrox."
Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs, said: "Now we are at the sharp end of the season the results of the next two games for Celtic and Rangers are vital. A draw on Sunday will give Celtic the edge while a defeat for the Parkhead club will set the nerves jangling.
"If Rangers lose on Sunday, Celtic will be confident about taking the title but in no way complacent, Postecoglou will not allow that. It’s a marvellous end to the season in that it could be a breathtaking finish instead of one team running away with the league at a canter.”
Tam Williamson, Lanarkshire, said: "Celtic will win the Treble because they are simply the best. Gerrard won the title last year because of Covid and the shambles within the Celtic boardroom but he has been found out at Aston Villa since he stabbed Rangers in the back to move to a bigger club.
"Gio will be tiptoeing through the tulips in Holland after normality returns to Scottish football and Celtic regain their rightful position as Scotland's major club which cannot be disputed."
Finally, away from the big two, Chic Devanney emailed: "Congratulations to Mill United Under-18’s A and B teams from Hamilton who have both reached the regional cup final and will play each other in June at Stenhousemuir - best of luck to both teams."
