It's been a bruising week for Scottish clubs in Europe with Celtic, Rangers and Hearts all suffering hefty defeats.
There wasn’t much sympathy around from Hotline callers either with plenty lining up to claim our game is in the grubber. Wullie Graham, Bristol , said: “Scotland 0 Europe 11. A sobering, shocking, and embarrassing week for Scottish football. It shows the dire state our game is in. I fear there is more pain to come in the coming weeks.”
George Wilson, West Sussex, said: “Following on from the Dundee United debacle, Scotland had more Euro shame with the humiliating performances of Celtic Rangers and Hearts who couldn’t even manage a goal between them this week. Spare us the nonsense that Celtic matched Real Madrid for a while. In the second half Celtic were totally outclassed and the walkover by Real was as easy as Ajax's first half over Rangers.” Donald Wade., Hamilton, said: “I am ready to go back to watching Juniors. This week has seen the best of Scotland getting well beaten on all fronts no matter whether you think you played well or not.
“Time we actually face up to the fact that we are one step up from Wales, Ireland and Cyprus.” Rangers fans have had a tough week with Ajax on the back of the Celtic hammering.
Jamie Thompson, Clydebank, said: “The only team that can take credit from this week's European football is Celtic. The first half display was really good, a credit to the club and fans.
“It hurts to say the team I support, Rangers, were a shambles and embarrassing to watch. The Ibrox board need to make a decision on Gio van Bronckhorst now.”
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “Not so long ago Rangers fans were bragging about being back where they belong in the Champions League, now they are saying they can’t compete. When Celtic were getting thrashed from Barca and PSG not so long ago and I said you can’t compete against teams spending hundreds of millions I was told it was just an excuse and we were embarrassing. It seems all these things only matter when it suits Rangers fans.”
Hoops fan Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon , is more optimistic and said: “People say Celtic have been woeful in Europe but we finished with nine points in the Europa League last season, and previously beat Lazio home and away. The other night was the best first half I have seen us play considering the opposition.”
While Bud Hay, Dumfries , said: “I don't see the Three Stooges John Bruce, Gary Stevenson or Alfie Mullin bragging about Rangers after the Scottish champions and Ajax both dubbed them 4-0. Van Bronckhorst will be sacked by Christmas and the seven duds he bought will follow. The league will be won before Christmas.”
Former chairman Dave King has criticised the Ibrox board this week and Jimmy Mac, Glasgow , said: “King may not be every Rangers supporter cup of tea but he saved Rangers from the spivs who were bleeding the club and supporters dry with no accountability whatsoever, It appears history is repeating itself as far as the current Rangers board is concerned, with their lack of transparency. They are treating our football club as their own private empire and they are answerable to no one. Rangers need King to return to oversee transparency and converse with shareholders, fans and media over the running of the club.”
