Kenny Miller has stirred up a hornet’s nest with his claim that a Rangers Europa League victory would be “right up there with the Lisbon Lions”.
The former Ibrox striker reckons Gio Van Bronckhorst ’s side are on the verge of Rangers’ greatest ever feat and one which would match anything Celtic have achieved on the continent, even their historic European Cup win of 1967.
Perfect fodder for a Hotline rammy.
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: "I agree with Kenny Miller that should Rangers win the Europa League 2022 it would be the best achievement ever in Scottish football. With all the riches in European football today the odds are stacked against teams without serious investment. Celtic won the Old European Cup back in the days of black and white TV when you only had to beat four or five teams to win it. There was more people watching Charlie Chaplin and Charlie Chan those days.”
But Martin Leggat emailed: “Could you let Mr Miller know that Celtic won the European Cup by beating the champions of their country and an Inter Milan team who were twice winners in previous seasons with a much larger budget than Celtic who had all locally-born players.”
And Jim Nichol, Armadale, said: “What an embarrassing statement from Miller. Time to come back to planet Earth, Kenny.”
Gordon Ashley claimed: “The arguments that a Rangers Europa League win would better the Lisbon Lions hold no water at all. Celtic played and beat the champions of five countries including France and Italy, who had all the best players anyway. Rangers have beaten no champions. It wouldn’t even be the second biggest achievement as Aberdeen beating Real Madrid would blow it away.”
Would it better Celtic’s achievement winning the league this season though? Onto chapter two of the debate.
Andy Scott, Edinburgh, said: “In the general run of things winning a European trophy is a much higher accolade than a Scottish Premier league title. If, at the start of the season, you offered Celtic or Rangers the choice, both would plump for European glory over another domestic bauble. Only two exceptions I can think of, the stopping/winning of 10 in a row for each team. Let's hope that Rangers can bring back something other than oranges from Seville.”
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, added: “Celtic’s achievement in winning the league eclipses anything that Rangers have done this season up to yet. From last season finishing 25 points behind to winning the season is incredible. If it was a general election it would a landslide victory. This is Celtic time now. Rangers had their day on Thursday and another great day might come. It just shows how good Celtic are when their deadliest rivals who have done great in Europe but can’t compete with Celtic in the league.”
And Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “The Premiership is the only league in the world where the best team is the one that finishes second even though the winners have six more points scored more goals conceded less goals and beat them twice out of four league games. Were Celtic the best team in the league when they got to Seville but lost the league? No of course they weren’t but as always Rangers fans have selective memories.”
Onto the weekend’s action and Alan McGaw, Alloa, said: “It was good to see that Gio changed the team against Dundee United. He should over the next two games play the young ones and give our main men a break. The fringe players are the future for the club.”
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, is already looking ahead to the summer transfer market. He called to say: “Given Jamie McGrath has made only two appearances for Wigan Athletic, will he make a return to Scotland and indeed sign for Aberdeen this summer?”
Finally, Bill Waugh, Glasgow, called to congratulate Scott Brown on his career after Record Sport broke the story of the ex-Celtic and Scotland skipper hanging up his boots. Bill said:: “A big thanks to Scott for all he has done for Celtic and all the memories. It showed the character of the man too when he shook Glen Kamara’s hand after the shocking abuse he got. Look forward to seeing him back at Parkhead in the future.”
