The SPFL computer churned out the new season’s fixtures last week but as always there were a few glitches in the matrix that didn’t go down well on the Hotline.
Celtic begin the defence of their title on Sunday, July 31, at home to Aberdeen while Rangers face Livingston away the day before.
But it’s Gers’ Christmas Eve hike to the Highland to take on Ross County that irked today’s first keyboard warrior.
David Simpson emailed in: “Sending three or four thousand Rangers fans up the A9 the day before Christmas is a disgrace. So much for the season of goodwill!
“I can only imagine this is Neil Doncaster getting his revenge on the Rangers board for all the stick they’ve been giving him over the cinch fiasco.”
Celtic fan Jim McSorley, Bothwell, wasn’t happy either as he asked: “Why has flag day been moved to Sunday with a 4.30pm kick-off?
“The champions have always opened the season in the curtain-raiser but once again TV dictates and breaks this tradition. What next? No Ne'erday Glasgow derby?”
Celtic's flag day against Hamilton was in the same slot in 2020, so there goes that theory.
Dons supporter William Masson, Aberdeenshire, is concerned about the lack of signing news coming out of Pittodrie ahead of their big kick-off at Parkhead, saying: “Getting Celtic away in the first fixture is a hard start but I reckon we’ll flummox Celtic on the opening day by turning up with only seven players. Unless of course we sign some players beforehand.”
Scottish football was also left shocked last week by the news that the nation’s top ref Bobby Madden has defected to England’s lower leagues.
John Davidson, Armadale, said: “I hope referee Bobby Madden makes such a good impression in the English leagues, that the bosses of the FA approach their counterparts at Hampden to poach more of our very impressive referees!"
Gordon Ashley, Ayr, added: “Surely if Bobby Madden can go to England at the drop of a hat we can have English referees come up here to take charge of games involving Celtic and Rangers.
"It’s no wonder there is always controversy when several of our top referees working these games are openly Rangers fans. VAR will only cause more trouble.”
Talking of the Hotline regular, George Wilson, West Sussex, had this to say: “Gordon Ashley said two weeks ago Rangers would get a maximum of £8million for Calvin Bassey when he goes.
“All Rangers fans hope Bassey stays but when he goes it should be £20m and upwards. Even Daily Record pundits David McCarthy, Fraser Wilson and Craig Swan all quoted £15m minimum yesterday.
“It was the usual anti-Rangers garbage we have come to expect from Ashley and rest assured when Bassey goes for a large fee even if it’s in a year’s time I will be one of many on here reminding Ashley of his latest piece of nonsense.”
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhil, added: “It seems like the Celtic supporters' fascination with all things Rangers knows no bounds.
“They thought we were out of business, voted them out of the league and banished them to obscurity. It would appear that we are back, not only in Scotland but back at the top table in European football. Had to laugh at Gordon Ashley's playground quip that Celtic were the biggest team in Scotland!
“That's like something my four-year-old grandson would say. Grow up and perhaps you should concentrate on your own team’s current European record without having to rely on winning a defunct trophy 55 years ago.”
Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, added: “Rather than everyone blaming Rangers for taking a stance on the cinch SPFL sponsorship deal, surely due diligence should have been done prior to the SPFL entering into such a contract?
“The SPFL also should have been protecting all of its member clubs rather than try to alienate against one by entering into a contract where there is a clear conflict of interest regarding said club.”
Michael Edmonds, Northampton, isn’t one to let things lie, as he showed with this contribution: “Last December when Celtic won the League Cup, Jimmy Murray said, ‘Ange Postecoglou has won a cup that nobody wants and if he doesn’t get rid of John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan he’s DOOMED’.
“Well Ange didn’t take Murray’s advice and went on to win the league, proving Murray’s anti-Kennedy/Strachan obsession is totally misplaced and is boring the pants of Hotline readers. Kennedy’s winners medals haul is the envy of every other coach in Scotland.”
