The post-split fixtures shambles had the unusual effect of uniting the Hotline as punters of all persuasions let rip at the SPFL. But for those looking for their daily dose of Old Firm bitterness, fear not. There’s a bit of that as well.
William Masson, Aboyne, emailed: “Sky Sports have only ever put money into Scottish football so they can have the rights to four particular games a season. I don’t watch their coverage but by all accounts even that coverage isn’t up to much, so no surprise they aren’t showing some other key, post split matches. The SPFL and clubs who agreed to the deal with Sky are as much to blame for signing an agreement with a broadcaster only interested in its beloved tourist league down south.”
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, Fife, said: “Absolute shocking decisions made by The SPFL on the split fixtures. They haven’t taken the supporters’ views into consideration. They are asking for trouble and if there is any blame should be laid at the doors of the police and the SPFL.
“The Ibrox Old Firm fixture could’ve been played in the fourth round of fixtures. Celtic should’ve had at least one home fixture in the first two fixtures.”
Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: “The shambles with the split fixtures is par for the course the SPFL is doing its best to dampen Celtic fans’ celebrations when the title is won. Try as they might, they won’t derail our title’s destination.”
Neil Renton, Edinburgh, added: “Clearly the SPFL weren’t thinking when they scheduled the Edinburgh derby after the spilt. It’s madness for the final game of the season to be at Tynecastle with a Harry Styles gig at nearby Murrayfield on the same day. One of them will feature a bunch of drunk folk stumbling about and shrieking. The others will be at the concert.”
Willie Collum’s appointment as referee for the Old Firm Scottish Cup semi has gone down like a lead balloon in some quarters. Henry Moffat, Stirling, said: “Celtic should invite a UEFA observer to watch the semi final if Willie Collum is in charge. Ever since Rangers complained about this referee he has given a shocking amount of match changing decisions in Rangers’ favour. This poor guy is refereeing their games in fear.”
Michael Emonds, Northampton, emailed: “Chris Lowe is whinging about Willie Column sending off John Lundstram against Hibs saying it cost his team two points, when the same ref sent off Jozo Simunovic at Ibrox and what did Celtic do? Put on sub French Eddy who promptly goes up the park and scored the winner in a 3-2 Celtic victory, making the refs decision to send our man off null and void. Why didn’t his team try that?”
James Kennedy, Kilsyth, said: “Michael Beale’s squad building has started. He is rummaging around the scrap heaps looking for out of contract has-beens e.g. Jack Butland, seeking a gullible mug to give them a lucrative pay day to retire on. Let’s face it, Rangers are cash-strapped, have few sellable assets and cannot afford to buy players of a reasonable standard to fill the gaps being left by the departing out-of-contract players from their squad."
Finally, Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh , emailed: “I reckon Messrs Park, Robertson and Wilson have all jumped ship due to unrealistic demands from an unpleasant minority of Rangers glory hunters. All of us want to see success in this new Rangers era, but who wants to see the club go bankrupt again?”
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