Happy New Year best wishes and festive glad tidings were in short supply as Old Firm squabbling and the usual Hotline spats were aired. As 2023 gets underway there was no shortage of callers having a gripe.
Gerrard Kelly emailed: "Michael Beale said Brazilians don't argue about ticket allocation, does he forget he is in Scotland? That's another comment which is a bit like Pedro Caixinha and his 'dogs barking but the caravans not moving' remark, which made no sense. Malik Tillman was also quoted as saying Rangers are the best team in the league yet they are nine points behind with a goal difference is way beyond help.
"Just because they have won four games they believe they are now world beaters again but don't make me laugh. Yes, I admit the league isn't done, but don't bump your gums after four games." Stephen Ferguson, Glasgow, emailed: "Hotline caller Bud Hay says Rangers have won four games in-a -row but they haven't beaten anyone yet, I would remind him that these are the same teams that his club is beating and are proclaiming themselves as some sort of superteam."
Scott Kerr, Knightswood, emailed: "Celtic need to drop Matt O'Riley and Liel Abada as they were poor against Hibs with Aaron Mooy and Jota brought in. Here is a question for everyone, who was the last team in the Scottish Premiership to be awarded a penalty at Ibrox? It must have been years ago."
David Walker, Shotts, emailed: "I hope Monday's Old Firm game doesn't become a fixture where VAR and controversial referee decisions dominate. This is Scottish football's showpiece occasion and my hope is that it is a terrific spectacle but I fear it could become a game which isn't remembered for free-flowing football and goals."
Chris Lowe, Yoker, emailed: "Hotline regular Henry Moffat thinks having shots on goal against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu means you have players worth £20 million. Celtic haven’t won a European last 16 tie or knock-out tie in over two decades.
"They claim to have a team of Gallowgate Galacticos who are all worth millions for performances in Scottish football as it sure isn’t in Europe I’m just dispelling the myth that they’re worth millions Henry or do shots on goal in the Bernabeu really count that much?"
Jamie Thompson, Clydebank, emailed: "Record Sport columnist Chris Sutton made a ridiculous comment that Celtic play the same style of football as Manchester City really. Has he lost the plot? Man City are challenging to win the Premier League and are favourites to win the Champions League and the FA Cup. Yeah Chris, I can see the resemblance."
Kenny Goff, emailed: "It was great to see the joy within a young Celtic side beating Rangers but in reality, how many of those young players will actually make the Celtic first team? They have a manager in Ange Postecoglou who is buying most of the J League and the sad fact is that virtually none of these young boys will come through."
Davy Matson, emailed: "Why are linesmen not doing their job properly? It seems they are all waiting for the VAR team to give them a shout before putting their flags up. How often have we seen a goal being scored before the flag goes up?
And finally a few calls paying tribute to the passing of football legend Pele.
Allan Docherty, emailed: "Pele played in an era when good football players were kicked up and down the pitch. He still managed to be sensational. I don't know how the modern day player would have managed in those days."
Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon. emailed: "I was so sorry to hear of Pele's passing. .He was part of one of the two best teams from the last century along with the Lisbon Lions."
Craig Wallis, Edinburgh, said: "Pele was a one-off and it's the end of an era now that he is gone as he was more than just the best player the world has seen, he was an ambassador for football who has done more to grow the game than anyone has or ever will."
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