They say there’s a fine line between optimism and delusion. Exactly where that line sits in the world of Scottish football and pre-season predictions very much depends on which side of the fence you sit. But on the Hotline ? There’s plenty of room for both.
Rangers fans are expectant after the Europa League finalists took apart West Ham in Tuesday’s pre-season friendly at Ibrox in which new signings Rabbi Matondo and Tom Lawrence stood out. But Celtic supporters reckon their arch rivals are getting ahead of themselves.
John Bruce emailed: “Considering Rangers have lost top quality players such as Calvin Bassey, Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun, the team didn't look any weaker as they took a full-strength West Ham side apart. Playing a top EPL team like Spurs on Saturday, with genuine world-class players such as Son and Kane, will be a tougher test of how far Rangers have come - and how far we can go. Games like these also show how much Rangers and their manager are respected. Little wonder the Rangers fans are so excited.”
Gordon Ferguson stoked the flames yesterday by claiming recent transfer sales by Rangers show they are “the dominant team in Scottish football”.
Bill Lockerbie, Northampton, hit back: “I have two words for Gordon and others like him who are brain washed into thinking they're on a winner with their multi mercenary signings.. Aaron Ramsey.”
Arrin Geddes, Irvine, said: “I’m not sure what Gordon thinks Rangers are dominating .. the arrogance table perhaps? Once again we have the Rangers Hotline regulars making assumptions without seeing Celtic kick a ball.”
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, added: "Ten out of 11 league titles show who the dominant force really is."
And Lance Little, Erskine, said: “I’ve got to thank the usual suspects from Govan as their over confidence in their team easily winning their second league title. They live in their own wee world. Saying Celtic are shopping in bargain basements after they've spent nearly £20million so far is nonsense. Also, last year proved if you buy the right players the price doesn't matter. They have sold two of their top players and reinvested pennies of that money in average replacements.”
Meanwhile Motherwell’s Europa Conference League qualifying slump to Sligo hasn’t gone down well .. with one caller claiming it was time the SFA hand out BANS to some clubs for their performances.
Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, blasted: “Motherwell getting beat by Sligo at home does nothing for the Scottish coefficient. Things are so bad that the SFA have to take action by banning clubs the chance of being our representatives in Europe when they don't help the coefficient when clearly the seeded team. UEFA should also revert back to club seeding rather than prioritising country seeding - Euro competition is a club-based competition so should be addressed as such rather than favouring some nations as they make more money by doing so.”
Gordon Wilson, West Sussex, said: “More European embarrassment for Scotland from Motherwell. It will be Celtic next as they have never learnt to defend in over 20 years of regular Champions League qualification. They will be out by Christmas so it will be up to Rangers again to fly the flag in Europe.
"Our system of qualification for Europe is all wrong when you get teams like Motherwell in there. It is supposed to be a reward for success. Motherwell won only 12 league games out of 38 with a minus 19 goal difference which is hardly a success yet this was deemed good enough for European qualification. No wonder they got pumped by minnows like Sligo.”
Finally worried Hibs fan John Scott, Grassmoor, fears his side could be looking at relegation. He said: “What on earth is going on at Hibs? Have they been secretly taken over by Hearts supporters. Our board have lumbered us with an insipid squad then prepared for a new season by signing a raft of young, raw players rather than new seasoned pros.
"Our new manager reckons it was amateurish not having a fourth official yet he was part of a set up that didn't realise Rocky Bushiri had received two yellow cards in previous ties nor was he aware of the repercussions of playing him against Morton. That's embarrassing, never mind anger inducing. This has a rerun of 2014 written all over it.”
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