Who'd be a football manager, eh?
Ange Postecoglou has led his team to the brink of a Treble after a glorious campaign of scintillating, stylish football. But perspective was in short supply on the Hotline as the loss of a dead-rubber derby sparked a furious outcry from a section of the Celtic support.
David Bryce, Troon, was first to let rip: “Every Celtic player and Postecoglou too should be hanging their heads today after that utter embarrassment at Ibrox. Callum McGregor was a disgrace to the jersey and don’t start me on Joe Hart, Matt O’Reilly and Reo Hatate. This Celtic team has not improved and is so lightweight and devoid of ideas it’s untrue! Ange should apologise to the fans after that dross!" Fraser Davison, Glasgow, was next on to vent, saying: “Maybe it’s time Celtic also had a clear out! Alexandro Bernabei looks lost and gets pulled out of position too often while Carl Starfelt is still an absolute bombscare.
"There were far too many misplaced and over-ambitious passes that are never finding a man. Too many powderpuff tackles and we spent too much time in our own half passing it about thinking we are Barcelona, which is dangerous with Starfelt about and no Cameron Carter-Vickers to keep him right.”
Eddie Fraser added: “Well today Rangers showed Celtic how to play with hunger and desire. All Celtic showed was that some of the squad players do not have the bottle for a fight, even in a dead rubber. Lets hope they play better in the Scottish Cup Final or there will no Treble.”
Todd Cantwell may not have been in the mood to share Rangers' water with Reo Hatate at Hampden but the new Ibrox talisman had the home support drinking in a long-awaited win after scoring the opener in Saturday’s 3-0 triumph.
Alan Mcgaw, Alloa, said: “If Celtic thought it was a meaningless game it certainly wasn’t for Rangers and the fans.
"It was pride and credibility restored and yes it has come too late but the team for next season has to be built around Todd Cantwell. He was outstanding and credit to Robby McCrorie who commanded his box well and made two vital saves. He must be No.1 keeper for the new season.”
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, emailed in: “Disappointed that Rangers did not do a Guard of Honour on Saturday. We should have respected Celtic with our national anthem being played upon their entrance. Being accused of a lack of respect by Celtic is hilarious.”
But Bill Lockerbie, Northampton, said: “Much kudos to Rangers for winning the first dead rubber of the season and for their first experience of applauding their team off the pitch after an Old Firm match.
“The only downside being that they had no opposing supporters to goad, as they were gathered at Celtic Park awaiting the return of the Champions and preparing for celebrations of a Treble kind!”
John Caw added: “Rangers were the more lethal side but a mystery remains - why does Connor Goldson seem to be immune from handballs?”
Andy Scott, Edinburgh, bit back at the controversy over the lack of penalties being awarded against the Ibrox side, saying: “Some actual facts for the Parkhead penalty paranoia conversation and the blinkered Bhoys currently masquerading as statistical savants. From 01/02 to 21/22, Rangers have had more penalties awarded eight times in a season, Celtic seven times with two ties over the course of the seventeen seasons they have competed against each other.
“Over this time period there have been two seasons where both Rangers and Celtic have conceded no penalties. One of these, for Celtic, occurred when Rangers were not in the Premiership. Conspiracy? Behave. The numbers, unlike the claimants, do not lie.”
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