It's Viaplay Cup Final week and fans are already out in force calling foul play.
Hotline regular Chris Lowe rolled out the stats suggesting Celtic get less yellow cards than they deserved and it sparked a bout of pre-Hampden finger pointing. Jamie Young, Glasgow, said: “Chris Lowe is totally correct regarding Celtic players, on average, they only get booked once every 19 tackles. Since new year, Rangers have had approx 144 fouls to Celtic 143. Rangers have had 30 yellows, Celtic nine. Celtic have the refs scared, especially going with the fact that they had to strike before because of Celtic intimidation and now Celtic hate VAR, funny that.”
Hoops fans don’t see it that way and John Caw emailed: “Chris Lowe is that busy trying to find out why referees are so favourable to Celtic he fails to see the big picture where his team get more penalties and opponents sent off than any other team in the world. Watch on Sunday and see who gets what. There will be a raffle this week for what minute Tavernier gets his penalty.”
Arrin Geddes, Irvine, said: “Maybe the answer to Chris Lowe’s conundrum regarding Celtic’s disciplinary record is that Celtic’s tackles aren’t as bad as his team’s or is that too simple to be true?” James Brown, Glasgow, said: “How can any team with so much possession also manage to somehow foul the opposition so often? Without realising it, Mr Lowe has just made Celtic’s case.”
Sean Beech, Hampshire, said: “It seems Mr Lowe likes his stats and is desperate to prove something about standards. Maybe he would like to explain then why it’s acceptable standards for him to suggest that Aberdeen lay down to Celtic yet also get his knickers in a twist if Celtic fans dare suggest Hearts did the same when playing Rangers? I’m guessing he likes his standards so much that he just doubles them up.”
Michael Edmonds, Northampton, said: “He missed out the most important stats of all in these games – Celtic have scored 21 goals and conceded a miserly three in reply, consolidating our nine-point lead at the top of the table with a massive goal difference.”
The man himself Chris Lowe was back and he said: “It’s official Celtic are officiated to a preferential standard over every team in the league , their stats in Europe are comparable with every other team but in Scotland they’re skewed in their favour, season after season.
“Do Celtic foul differently from every other team or are officials terrified of them like Nick Walsh was earlier in the season when he failed to send off Moritz Jenz for a clear second booking whilst giving a penalty at Hearts? It’s a conspiracy Bhoys but not one you’ll want highlighted.”
Gers fans fancy their changes in the Final and John Allardyce, Edinburgh, said: “Ange and his team are deluded. Like last season they are beating garbage every week. Get ready for more of the same from the big European teams.”
Willie Mercer, Dumfries, said: “People waxing lyrical about Celtic's performance against Aberdeen and Rio Hatate as being a superstar. Calm down. This will be the same Aberdeen side that lost to Darvel and the same Hatate that failed to make the Japan World Cup squad.”
Hearts might not have third place as sewn up as we thought after the weekend.
Neil Renton, Edinburgh, said: “Any truth in the rumours that there’s a loud crashing noise over Gorgie as Hearts are losing their bottle? If Hibs manage the unthinkable and pip their city rivals to third place expect planes to be flying over Tynie with messages about Robbie Neilson.”
Motherwell caretaker Stuart Kettlewell has played a blinder though and Stephen Johnston, Ardentinny, said: “Kettlewell keeps Motherwell on the boil after another fine performance. They are looking good to avoid a relegation battle and he is a tap in for the job.”
READ NEXT:
