Robbie Neilson reckons someone needs to be decapitated before Celtic get a red card at Parkhead.
But it was the Hearts boss - speaking in the wake of his side’s 3-1 defeat to the Hoops where Alexandro Bernabei escaped punishment for a foul of Nat Atkinson - who was accused of being a pain in the neck by Hotline callers. Bill Lockerbie, Northampton, said: “What on earth is Neilson going on about? A linesman, referee and a VAR check decided it was no more than an awkward, step on foot challenge by Bernabei with no intention to injure the opponent. Neither were there any appeals by Hearts players, or crowding the referee. Given the time-wasting tactics employed by his players I would have thought the time taken to check a nothing incident was a relief to his team from constant bombardment by a superior footballing side.”
Arrin Geddes, Irvine, said: “Once again Neilson leaves Celtic Park sounding like a bitter wee man. He eventually admits Bernabei’s tackle is no more than a yellow but the headlines today are about decapitation. Celtic were just too good for Hearts last night, and he knows it, but, unlike the Rangers game, he can’t say it!”
However, Chris Lowe, Yoker, claimed: “Well done Neilson on calling out the fact that officials are terrified of handing out cards to Celtic players following the shocking challenge on his player that went unpunished That’s three league games in a row now Celtic have had no bookings. Over the years all these different Celtic players must have fouled differently from everyone else as they don’t get booked.”
And so the arguments and conspiracy theories over referee decisions resumes.
Mark Moore, Dublin, said: “Let me settle the VAR debate once and for all. You have two teams in Glasgow, one attacks more and scores more but gets less penalties. The same team also defends less and concedes less but concedes more penalties. There is no logic to that whatsoever.... unless there is an anti Celtic agenda.”
George Wilson, West Sussex, added: “Absolutely pathetic the amount of moaning on here from Celtic supporters about Rangers getting penalties. They obviously don’t know the rules of the game. If you foul an opponent or handle the ball in the penalty box it’s a penalty. Simple. So what’s the problem? The number of supposedly rational grown men on here who really think there is a conspiracy to help Rangers and disadvantage Celtic is incredible. Yes nine-points clear Celtic are being disadvantaged. As the rest of the teams are simply not up to taking points off Rangers and Celtic it’s going to be hard to pull Celtic back in the league this year but with a fresh start next season under Beale, Rangers will be back to the top.”
And Rangers fan John Steel emailed: “There's not a single referee in Scotland that is biased towards any club. We get lots of penalties because we are getting around 80 per cent possession in most games. So that means we are attacking the other team’s goals more. More possession, more penalties and free kicks and corners. The same at Celtic. More decisions go the Old Firm way because we are better than all the rest.”
Celtic and Hearts are set to do battle again tomorrow in the Scottish Cup and Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “Hearts showed they will be the hardest obstacle in stopping Celtic achieving the Treble with their spirited performance. However the key to Celtic not being at their best was the absence of full backs Taylor and Johnston. Celtic looked disjointed without them and having them back will be a deciding factor in us moving into the next round.”
Finally, a section of the Rangers support ignored their club’s plea to respect Hibs’ tribute to Ron Gordon ahead of Wednesday’s 4-1 win at Easter Road.
And Sam Morton, Edinburgh, said: “Will there be any action taken against Rangers for the disgusting behaviour that some of their fans have indulged in during two tributes to Ron Gordon? We live in a world where discrimination of all kinds is rightly called out on a daily basis yet the Rangers fans in their hundreds if not thousands are allowed to sing sectarian songs seemingly without any consequences or even a response from the club. Whatever happened to their ‘Everyone Anyone’ campaign?
