We're just days away from another massive Old Firm derby yet somehow the big story in town has nothing to do with the clash on the pitch.
It looked set to be a sleepy Tuesday evening before all hell broke loose when Rangers announced Douglas Park's departure out of the blue. He steps aside after eight years of service in total with John Bennett stepping into the role with immediate effect. So before we get to the bickering over next Saturday's derby, a word for the outgoing chairman from a Celtic fan who raises questions over the timing of the announcement.
Arrin Geddes, Irvine said: "The timing of Douglas Park’s departure seems a wee bit strange. Not because it’s the week of a Glasgow Derby but because it comes the day after Mick Beale claims to be getting a truckload of money for his rebuild. Is Mick in for a disappointment?"
And Edward Easson, Ballingry, said: So Douglas Park is off, will they erect a statue? I don’t think so. All he succeeded in doing was to fuel the fires of hatred towards Celtic. He could’ve sorted the ticket fiasco by just having a conversation with Celtic. Celtic haven’t covered themselves in glory here either. The timing of his resignation is significant can this be linked with the accounts being late going in."
Onto the game and another Hoop reckons Michael Beale could be in trouble if Rangers lose the derby and fall 12 points behind in the title race. Paul McArdle, Gourock, said: "Rangers fans will want Beale sacked when Celtic thrash their Gumtree Galacticos on Saturday and the meltdown will be jolly splendid!"
Hotline caller Helen McLean got it in the neck as Robbie Wood questioned her allegiances. He said: "I thought Helen McLean said she was a Ross County fan? She was on two weeks ago complaining about all the dodgy penalties Rangers get against her team. I saw her name on Hotline yesterday and thought here we go, Helen will be moaning about the dodgiest Celtic penalty ever. But no she was moaning about Rangers again. Are you sure you are not a Celtic fan, Helen?"
Bud Hay, Dumfries isn't worried about his beloved Celtic this Saturday. Even if they lose. He said: "I am not worried about Saturday. That mob have to beat us some time, we can't get a result all the time. I'd rather get beat on Saturday than get beat in the semi and that will stop all the other mob from bragging. If they don't win a trophy Beale will be sacked so dream on you lot."
A note on the appointed officials as Chris Lowe, Yoker said: With Saturday’s game being home fans only I see the SPFL have played along and given Kevin Clancy the gig. Rangers haven’t had a penalty kick at Celtic park in over 13 years and Celtic haven’t had a booking in their last 40 fouls, except both stats to increase with Clancy in the middle On a plus note his sidekick Francis Conner will be able to take his usual seat in the stand as he’s not involved this time."
Ange Postecoglou doesn't have many doubters after his impact in his first two years but Alan Flett said: "Why is it that Postecoglou gets linked with every managerial vacancy in the EPL but never actually gets any of these jobs? Could it be that when club owners delve a bit deeper into his track record, they realise that he’s a one trick pony? He’s got no plan B, no idea of how to change a game and never beats anyone!"
And Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: "Just to put the Celtic supporters' minds at rest, it's ok, Postecoglou will not be moving to any side in the English Premiership. Players actually get booked down there and vile chanting is met with heavy fines. You also need a personality to front up for the press."
One fan though does reckon the Premier League is calling, either come the summer or into next season. George Wilson, West Sussex, said: "It’s comical hearing all the Celtic supporters on the radio and reading online and in the paper referring to their manager as Ange like he was their best and life long pal. There are now plenty jobs on the horizon at much bigger clubs than Celtic and Ange will either be off at the end of the season or after their annual humiliation and embarrassment in the Champions League when Ange will realise he has reached his limit in the 2 horse race in Scotland. And spare us please comments on Rangers disaster in the Champions League this season. Celtic have done it every year for about 20 years."
But the final word moves away from the Old Firm bickering as John Scott, Grassmoor, said: "Halfway through another week and everyone's on the Hotline still whinging about VAR and giving it the 'mine's bigger than yours leading up to yet another Old Firm derby. How about some space to commend the Hibs Ultras for their tribute to 15 year old Hearts fan Andrew MacKinnon" His death and the respect shown by these young fans highlights yet again that football is never more important than life or death."
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