It's still early days and a ball hasn't been kicked in earnest but some Rangers fans can barely contain their excitement ahead of a new Premiership campaign.
Tuesday night's 3-1 friendly win over West Ham only served to heighten their expectation but some supporters have warned against getting carried away. Alan McGaw, Alloa : "I know it was only a friendly match against an almost first team from West Ham but some of the new signings came good, especially in the second half.
"The pace of Rabbi Matondo is a taste of what we can look forward to and he'll add a new dimension into our attack. The dig in midfield with Lawrence was excellent with both players scoring brilliant goals. It’s Spurs on Saturday before the official kick-off a week Saturday. It’s great to see the football back." Gordon Ferguson, Kilwinning , added: "The recent transfer sales by Rangers show we are the dominant team in Scottish football. The phoenix has risen and reinvested in the club by bringing in several new players so well played by the club so bring on the new season."
Fans on the green side of Glasgow however, see it as overblown pre-season bluster. Bud Hay, Dumfries , said: "Here we go, Rangers fans bragging about what they are going to do this season after beating the seventh best team in England. Winning a friendly against West Ham is not much to shout about and the saying goes that empty barrels make the most sound. Celtic will not make the same mistakes again and the flag is where it belongs in Paradise."
Kenny Wilson, Moffat , said: "Reading all the Rangers fans drooling over beating West Ham in a pre-season friendly is enough to put you off your breakfast. The word 'friendly' explains everything you need to know about the game but like last season, Rangers are going to blow Celtic away and are already the best team in the league regardless of who gets the most points. I look forward to this season’s list of excuses when the real football starts."
Regular hotline contributor Gordon Ashley has been winning more friends and influencing his fellow readers once again. Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh , said: "Surely nobody takes Hotline regular Gordon Ashley seriously. Only last season Gordon had Aberdeen finishing above Rangers. Can I remind Gordon that the Pittodrie trophy room is as empty as his head."
Sean Beech, Hampshire , said: "I can’t recall ever hearing from half of the Hotline regulars when their club was in the lower leagues yet now, having won two trophies, you’d think they were world beaters. Keep the gags coming as I for one enjoy reading you all squirm."
Hibs' likely elimination from the Premier Sports Cup has increased the heat on their new manager. Kevin Lord Drylaw , emailed: "Lee Johnson should be glad the Hibs fans have not turned out in great numbers for the Premier Cup. The decibels of the additional booing would have surely expedited the falling of the axe which already hangs over his head."
With reports that Leicester City are keen on Matt O'Riley emerging, one reader reckons they're only coming from one place. Chris Lowe, Yoker , said: "I nearly burst my sides at the article which claimed Matt O’Riley is wanted by Brendan Rodgers and Leicester and that it would take serious money to get him
"You’ve got to hand it to the Celtic PR machine who following the hysterical myth that Tony Ralston’s understudy Josip Juranovic was worth £15 million come out with this gem. They’re clearly wanting a piece of the attention that Rangers are getting only they’ve no big sellable assets."
As sure as Rangers' pre-season showing was nothing to shout about according to their rivals, you better believe the same accusation is being fired right back. John Bruce , emailed: "Celtic have now dazzled with yet another draw after their friendly with Legia Warsaw. It would appear that they have blown their Champions League money on signing loan players they already had and now they seem to be looking for bargains.
"Adding a loan signing from French relegation strugglers and a free transfer who has played in Shanghai for the last two seasons to last year's Euro failures is unlikely to worry their Champions League opponents. So, how long before Celtic announce a couple of 'world-class gems' from Japan to add to their bargain bucket?"
Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon , said: "I remember when Celtic played Arsenal in a friendly and they hammered us 5-0. It wasn't the disaster we thought as we went on to win the double. We never stop winning."
With Lindfield doing what Celtic failed to and getting a result against Bodo/Glimt, a rematch Down Under has been suggested. Gary Stevenson, Newtonhil l, said: "With Norwegian Minnows Bodo/Glimt losing on Tuesday to Irish part timers Linfield, perhaps the organisers of the Sydney Super Cup should get them involved. It would be interesting to see if Celtic could avenge their two hammerings from last season or are they not wanting another side to be the top billing?"
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