It's getting tense home and away as Celtic and Rangers delve deeper into a pulsating domestic title race - and closer to a November friendly on the other side of the world.
Both remain under fire from fan groups over their decision to take the derby Down Under during next season’s World Cup break and ex-Ibrox chairman Dave King stirred the pot claiming he’d never have sanctioned the Sydney Cup clash.
Surprisingly there was only support for the clash on the Hotline.
James Forsyth, Bellshill, said: “I am a Rangers fan and think that if the money is as high as reported then play the game. Remember where our finances have been over the past 10 years. It's a meaningless friendly on the other side of the world.”
Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: “The way it's looking for Celtic it will be our reserves playing out there. So if the club are going to make a few quid, fine. As for Rangers’ involvement, I would prefer some other team came in. We certainly don't need them over there.”
And Paul Price, Belfast, said: “I have family in Australia and they're all Celtic while one of my uncle’s good friends is a Rangers man from Scotland and I’d say they'll all be travelling to the match together. It’s a rare opportunity for them all to see their teams.”
Before all that there’s a title fight ongoing - and there’s nothing friendly about this.
John Bruce emailed: “This could be another testing weekend for both sides of the Old Firm but more especially Celtic. They go to Livingston, where they haven't won since Livi came back up. So, a nervy day for Celtic fans. Aberdeen come to Ibrox, after they were beaten 2-0 by Hearts on Wednesday night. As usual, Aberdeen will play like men possessed to give Rangers a difficult game.”
Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs, said: “The Premiership title is on a knife edge. It’s a tense time for both Celtic and Rangers, neither being at the top of their game just now. One slip could change the momentum for either club. It all makes for an exciting finale to the league season with the helicopter not knowing which venue to take the league flag to until the final kick of the ball on the final day.”
Rangers veteran Allan McGregor has come under fire for recent performances. But former skipper Barry Ferguson told fans wanting the 40-year-old dropped to be careful what they wish for.
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: “I don't need Ferguson to tell me Allan McGregor is the best goalie in the country. Superb performances all through his long career. At his best he's good enough to go through the final nine games without conceding goals simply the best of his generation of goalies.”
Dougie Allison, Fauldhouse, reckons the problems lie elsewhere. He grumbled: “For the last three seasons I have being making the point that Connor Goldson can’t defend and James Tavernier the same. He is not captain material for this club and slowly but surely more will see this and agree.”
The Ukraine FA have requested this month’s World Cup play-off against Scotland be postponed with their country still under siege from Russia.
Fraser Davison, Glasgow, said: “I for one call on the SFA to do the decent thing and forfeit of the game against Ukraine as a show of solidarity and for all future qualification opponents to do the same to ensure their progression at this desperate time for their country. Yes we haven’t been to a major finals in a long time but that pales into insignificance at what the whole nation of Ukraine is going through right now. Lets in a small way give them some support and remember football is an international language we all know and understand.”
But Andy Adams, Kirkcaldy, argued: “Letting Ukraine through would be a terrific gesture but there's no point in doing that if Austria and Wales don't agree to it. And would Ukraine be happy with that? They're a proud nation who I'm sure would prefer to qualify on merit.”
Elsewhere and Kilmarnock fan Gordon McIlwraith, Kilmarnock, was an angry man after passing up the chance of a cup final. He said: “Derek McInnes put out our reserve side in the Challenge Cup. If he doesn't get us promotion I want him out. He treated Raith Rovers and the semi-final with contempt.”
Hibs fan George Fairgieve, Edinburgh, isn’t too impressed with his lot either. He groaned: “I’m concerned for my Hibs team, they’re picking up more cards than a casino croupier, we can’t win with 11 players so how can we win with 10? In order to score goals you have to get into the opposition box, try it Hibs.”
