Pre-season predictions and Old Firm tit-for-tat made for a heated Hotline with some tennis and golf also on the agenda.
As usual, either side took aim at the other's transfer targets as Rangers prepare to sign Rabbi Matondo. Celtic fans are lapping up their automatic Champions League group stage qualification, while reminding their rivals they still have work to do if they want a share of the financial spoils.
Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said : "Rangers would be better signing Rabbi Burns than Rabbi Matondo, if he was that good he would not be leaving Schalke. He's just another over the top mercenary by signing a lucrative contract and draining Rangers of much needed funds."
Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said : "I will declare what I want this season before it starts, I will take the double and automatic qualification for the Champions League before losing a Europa League final every day of the week. Let’s see if Rangers fans do the same because they seem to like to change their minds mid-season for some reason."
George Robertson, Edinburgh , said: "I'd like to tell Hotline caller John Bruce that his Rangers team is a non-entity. They have won only two trophies in 12 year yet he makes cheap digs at the champions. Where were you John during all of these years when you won zero?"
Looking ahead to next summer and Celtic are reportedly planning a pre-season tour of Japan. However, Chris Lowe, Yoker, is wondering why it hasn't happened before now. He said:: "So Celtic are finally going to Japan . We all remember they told us in 2008 that the league couldn’t be extended when Rangers reached a European final as they were going to Japan with sporting integrity being bandied about also.
"Little did we know it would take 14 years of planning before they finally went. They certainly are a club like no other."
The Hoops have also been accused of buying their way to success after letting ten-in-a-row slip through their fingers. John Bruce, emailed: "In the January and current transfer window, Celtic allegedly spent almost £40 million on signing and re-signing players and their fans are more than happy to let everyone know about their club's spending power.
"That's a lot of money to spend to try and win the SPL title. It totally eclipses the budget of every other club in the league, bar one. If you were at all cynical, you might think that Celtic were trying to buy their way to the league title, again."
After Scott Brown came under fire in yesterday's hotline, there's a defence of the former Celtic skipper today. Paul Keenan , emailed: "My message to Hotline regular Mr Ashley is that taking your eye off the ball to spectacularly concede the league in Glasgow is not a blip, it is failure. As for still gurning about Scott Brown, get a life."
Stuart Pearson , said: "Mr Ashley is once again predicting anything and everything related to Rangers. I predict he retains the Hotlines coveted gobsh*** of the year award hands down."
Celtic's apparent victory in the race to sign a St Mirren starlet has been put down to Rangers lack of funds. Colin McArdle, Lanarkshire , said: "Is the reason why Rangers failed to sign St Mirren youngster Dylan Reid because they offered an IOU instead of cash to the Paisley club? As for the unknown Tim Lawrence, he chose Rangers above Celtic because he knew if he had signed for the Scottish Champions he would have spent the entire time of his contract as a bench warming spectator."
A call about England's 8-0 rout over Norway at the women's Euro Championships praised our near neighbours. Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh , said: "I'm still salivating over the magnificent thumping of Norway's women footballers by a rampant England side. I've enjoyed the women's tournament and hope the Lioness's go on to win the tournament."
It's Open week, and Rory McIlroy has been winning friends ahead of the 150th instalment at the Home of Golf. Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill , said: "What a breath of fresh air watching and listening to Rory McIlroy at St Andrew's was on Monday. A true professional and a great idol for kids watching unlike the language and behaviour from Scotland's Robert McIntyre and Spain's John Rahm in recent events. For McIntyre to behave in this manner is an absolute disgrace, he is lucky to be where he is and future violations should result in lengthy bans."
And finally. George McLeish , emailed: "Why does the non-achiever Andrew Castle get to give his opinions on tennis players who would not even give him a second look because he is a nobody? If they ever have an Olympic event for the most boring person on the planet he would win the gold medal every time. I like to watch Wimbledon, but I have to put the tv on mute because of him."
READ NEXT:
