Celtic have ripped up Leigh Griffiths’ contract amid fears his return to Lennoxtown could prove to be a “distraction”.
But the future of the on-loan Dundee frontman had no problem capturing the attention of punters calling into the Hotline.
Paul McCormack, Coatbridge, was first up to offer his thoughts, saying: “What more could Celtic have done for Leigh Griffiths?
“Arguably he did not earn his last two contracts and he certainly did not justify them with the lack of application to his physical conditioning, the most basic requirement of any player playing top level football.
“At a time when he should be in his prime, Griffiths faces another crossroads in his career, a real shame for a guy who had it all but seemingly has let it slip through his fingers.”
Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, added: “I hate to see good players going into self-destruction mode but Leigh Griffiths can blame no one but himself for his fall from grace. It’s a pity because he was a very dangerous striker.”
And Lewis Campbell emailed to say: “This is a guy who has all the talent in the world. If only he had an ounce of focus and determination he could still be a major asset for Celtic and Scotland.”
While the Hoops were cutting Griff loose, Rangers have tied down John Souttar on a pre-contract.
Hearts are holding out for a whopping £500,000 before they will consider letting the defender depart for Ibrox this month.
But George Fairgrieve, Edinburgh, fears his side will be short-changed if Souttar stays.
He said: “Rangers have secured John Souttar on a pre-contract. I’ve witnessed this scenario before, the player will instinctively play to avoid injury and, in consequence, short change both Hearts and their fans. Not a good return for a club who stood by him through a series of bad injuries.”
But Neil Renton, Edinburgh , said: “Hearts fans criticising John Souttar for his move to Rangers is baffling. If you’d offered any of these fans a chance to move to a different company in a better office with more chance of achieving goals while earning more money and they didn’t take it then they’re better people than I.”
Meanwhile, Chris Lowe, Yoker, had his say on the topic of Old Firm away allocations.
He said: “I had to laugh at the weekend headline that Rangers were damaging the Old Firm trademark. So by not giving Celtic a full stand behind the goal with 8000 premium-view seats while Rangers are tucked away in a corner at Celtic park with thousands of restricted-view seats, Rangers are somehow to blame?
“Celtic and indeed the current CEO of Scottish football have taken to calling it the Glasgow derby to appease the ‘they don’t exist brigade’ in the Celtic support but they’ll happily renew the patent on the Old Firm trademark on an annual basis. What a confused set of supporters.
“Rangers are perfectly happy with the 800 arrangement but clearly Celtic aren’t.”
But Rob Jones is tired of the sniping between Glasgow’s big two.
He said: “The SPFL is back again and presumably, so will the Hotline bickerfest between Old Firm fans - Celtic supporters claiming Rangers get all the decisions in their favour whilst Gers fans are adamant it’s Celtic that the refs side with.
“As EVERY non Old Firm fan knows…they’re both right! Playing behind closed doors last season proved that referees are influenced by crowds and the Glasgow giants have the biggest. It’s only human nature that officials are swayed at Old Firm matches but supporters of those two clubs only see everything through the prism of their rivals. Wake up guys!”
