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Daily Record
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Sports Hotline

Rangers fans fume over Celtic referee howlers but all bang out same title mantra – Hotline

There was plenty to talk about in the wake of another bout of midweek mayhem in Scottish football and Pittodrie was the focus of most of the chat.

And in particular, Jota ’s winning goal for Celtic which had fans from the Granite City to Govan foaming at the mouth.

Alan McPherson, Cullen, Moray, started us off with this: “I went to Pittodrie last night fully expecting Celtic to comfortably beat us given the devastating form they have been in and at half time I was feeling this was going to prove to be the case after giving away two bad goals.

“However I dared to dream of an unexpected point after a great fight back when we levelled the score but thanks to the incompetence and/or bias, the ref and linesman couldn’t see that Abada was offside and preventing Bates from getting to Jota who scored.

"This was the latest in a long line of bad decisions which have gone against us this season and could have repercussions come the end of the season. I may also say that almost all the other teams have been at the wrong end of bad decisions by officials except, no surprise, the two Glasgow giants.”

Harry Ross, Stirling, said: “Don’t laugh, but I’m a neutral. I’m English and love reading your Hotline . I can’t help noticing how Celtic keep getting breaks from referees this season. It’s very noticeable. Their winner against Aberdeen was another example. It’s a fantastic title race but this is starting to ruin the enjoyment.”

Joe Graham, Garrowhill, added: “Wrong refereeing decisions against Aberdeen at Pittodrie last night stopped Rangers regaining top spot in the league. Celtic’s Abada was offside at Jota’s goal and also interfering with play. However, with Rangers recapturing their enthusiasm and hunger, their relentless play should see off Celtic when they meet again. Title 56 is on its way.”

Alec McIlroy, Dumbarton, said: “Linesman Alan Mulvanny seems to have a blind spot when it comes to green and white shirts being offside as that’s a few ‘bloomers’ he has missed this season.”

Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, said: “Once again we see Celtic getting a decision that is totally wrong. Aberdeen were robbed of a hard fought point. This has happened quite a few times and was very unfair on Aberdeen.”

David Cassidy, Bridgeton, said: “I was at Ibrox last night and I left early to get back to the car and start travelling home but also to listen to SSB - only to find when I get to car that Celtic and the referees have conspired against my team again to take the lead again. Might as well hand the title over to Celtic already.”

William Masson, Aboyne, emailed: “The allegation often comes up that Aberdeen try harder against Rangers than Celtic. After last night’s pitiful first half performance I can offer no defence against that charge. Only because Celtic played at training pace after their second goal did we not get a bigger thrashing.”

And Brian McColligan emailed with a different take on it: “Once again a wrongly called offside decision goes against Celtic. Jota’s disallowed goal would have put us three up and for the third game in a row the contest would have been over before the half time break.”

Steve McSherry, Uddingston, said: “The Aberdeen v Celtic game was a cracker and I can’t help feeling that if Aberdeen had played like that all season then it would be they who would be challenging us for the title.”

Elsewhere, Jim McClean, Rothesay, is one disgruntled Kilmarnock fan. He emailed: “I have had enough. My season ticket is in the post this morning after 40 years. It is the worst I have seen in my 60 years as a supporter. Why did they sign Lafferty after he held us to ransom at the end of last season? He would rather fight players than concentrate on playing football. Derek McInnes will be wondering what he has taken on.”

Gerry Milligan, Erkine, emailed: “I thought Tony Watt’s behaviour against his old club was immature and disrespectful. This is a man who since he left Celtic has had an ignominious career and was given a chance by Motherwell to resurrect himself. He showed no class with his goal celebration midweek and Motherwell’s chief executive let him know it.”

John Mcinally, Maryhill, said: “I’m a furious Patrick Thistle fan. We can win this league and challenge for top six in the Premiership next season but we have so many games to be played in such a short spell. We never get the decisions that some of the other clubs do and it’s getting to the point we leave the grounds early and in a rage.”

And finally, Dr Robert Pender would like those who bring drums into football grounds to beat it.

He said: “Why are clubs allowing the crazy drumming? It spoils the watch. If only the drums were tuned and they could play. It is time for them to go.”

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