There was plenty of extra whine in yesterday’s Hotline as Celtic’s generous stoppage-time allocation at Easter Road was called into question.
Rangers fan Chris Lowe was demanding answers after Celtic were given additional seven minutes against Hibs - while his side got just three at the end of their Motherwell stalemate.
Yes, the Old Firm bickerfest has reached new depths - but there were plenty of Hoops supporters happy to oblige Mr Lowe with an answer.
Lance Little, Erskine, was first up to say: “Same old callers with same old excuses when Rangers drop points. It's the referees, we need VAR, Celtic get too much extra time. It's embarrassing.
“As for referees. Celtic get more extra time as more teams waste time during games against us.”
Brian McDermott, Maryhill, emailed in: “A wee message for regular Hotline statistician Chris ‘the timekeeper’ Lowe. If his dodgy defence and goalkeeper don't sort themselves out the only clock he'll need to worry about is the one counting down to Liquidation two.”
William Hutchison, Aberdeen, called in to say: “I don't know why during the last few games Celtic have been slacking when just after New Year we were playing frantic, fantastic football. If we don't get our finger out we could easily find ourselves playing catch up. And as for extra minutes at the end of the Hibs game, it was due to a Hibs players being injured - nothing to do with Celtic.”
Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said: “Well done to referees for standing strong against the intimidation and paranoia of Rangers fans. The only actual bad decision they’ve had in the last several games was the shirt pull on Fashion Sakala at Tannadice, the same day Celtic were denied an even more blatant penalty while Rangers yet again also dodged a straight red card. Everyone is just bored of them now.”
Celtic fan Bud Hay, Dumfries, said: “Here we go again, Rangers fans crying in their cornflakes because they should have got this, should have got that.
“It’s not too long ago they were going to win the Premiership by 20 points. I’m sick of them bragging when they beat Dortmund. Let me remind them Celtic have been there done that.”
Celtic were toothless in Leith and David Bryce, Troon , said: “I’m absolutely dreading Celtic going to Livingston next Sunday!
“In fact I am not enjoying watching Celtic at the minute, full stop. The likes of Jota, Rogic, Maeda and Callum McGregor have been absolutely woeful for weeks now. They look flat and unfit, there is zero creativity in the team.
“The football has been turgid and uninspiring for weeks now. I don’t believe that Ange Postecoglou is the man to lead us to the title. He stands absolutely motionless on the sidelines and appears totally void of ideas. We are hopeless at set pieces too. It’s worrying!”
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s has stepped up his call for the introduction of VAR - but Rangers fan Jimmy Mac, Glasgow , has suggested an alternative proposal.
He said: “If the SFA and SPFL are not willing to pay for and introduce VAR then they should bring in foreign referees from outside of Scotland and Ireland to officiate all Rangers and Celtic games individually, with a different referee for each game they play over the course of the season. The only way Scotland will oust cheating from within is to ensure people running the game do not have football allegiances to any Scottish club.”
But George McLeish said: “I have supported Rangers for over 50 years and I am sick of hearing van Bronckhorst blaming VAR and officials for losing points when the real reason is poor team selection, rubbish defending, rubbish finishing and players who are and never will be good enough to wear the shirt. Remember the old saying that a poor workman blames his tools…?”
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