The clock is ticking down towards the first Old Firm of the season.
Which means one thing – the Hotline is going bananas with pre-match point scoring, squabbles over European bragging rights and, of course, referee conspiracies with Nick Walsh set to take charge in the Parkhead powderkeg. And first up is Rangers fan John Bruce who emailed: “We're hearing that Celtic fans have started a petition against Nick Walsh being appointed as the referee for Saturday's Old Firm game, due to a 'conflict of interest'.
"The same fans who have seen their team go three games without a single booking. As a comparison, in the last three games Celtic have committed 26 fouls without a player being booked. Rangers have committed 26 fouls and received 5 yellow cards and two red cards, with one of those rescinded. To which team does the 'conflict of interest' apply to?”
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, added: “What a brilliant week. Another two big wins at the bookies. So here is the tip .. just bet for no Celtic player to get booked during 90 minutes. It's the easiest money you will ever make.”
Celtic joined Rangers in the quarter finals of the League Cup with a 4-1 victory at Ross County on Wednesday night. And David Bryce, Troon, said: “Celtic were outstanding in Dingwall given they made nine changes. Mooy and Turnbull were superb however the jury is out on Bernabei and Jenz. The young Argentine is a waste of money. I also thought Ralston had a great game and should play against Rangers, as he is a better player than Juranovic.”
Chris Lowe, Yoker, said: "Can anyone explain how since January and after 20-odd games in Scottish football, not forgetting his 117 minutes of European football against Bodo Glimt that Matt O’Riley has somehow gone from a £1.5million League One player to a superstar wanted by Man United, Liverpool and Dortmund? Understandable if he had a European pedigree like Morelos or Tavernier but looking good against Dundee United and Kilmarnock doesn’t make you worth millions.”
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, said: “Yet again, Ross County predictably do nothing against quality opposition, and the usual predictability hangs over the League Cup. A solitary goal from a centre half, no doubt from a set piece, is as good as the Dingwall side could muster. Pathetic.”
The argument over who takes the credit for Scotland receiving extra places in Europe rumbles on. Derek Cormack emailed: “I’m fed up hearing the myth that Rangers got Scotland two teams into the Champions League. The UEFA rankings are based on the past five years of results in European competition before this season. Throughout that period, Celtic have managed to qualify for the Champions League group stage twice and have reached the last 32 of the Europa League on two different occasions also.”
And Glen Mitchell added: “Can you please remind Rangers fans that boasting about previous wins in Europe is more than matched if Celtic fans wanted to do the same. After all the Ibrox club’s wins have all mostly come in the Europa League or the Champions League qualifiers, as they have never until now been in the Champions League. Celtic’s previous wins include many in the Champions League, including Juventus, AC Milan, Barcelona, Man Utd, with many more in the lower competitions. Those wins put the Ibrox club’s wins into perspective.”
Finally, Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “As a Celtic supporter I’m relieved that Manchester City are not included in our Champions League group. I’m convinced Erling Haaland was manufactured in a laboratory and with the start he’s made you might as well hand him the Golden Boot right now.”
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