Celtic and Rangers warmed up for Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi final with a combined 11-0 thrashing of the two Saints.
It was seventh heaven for Celtic against St Johnstone while Rangers came to the fore against St Mirren.
Not everyone on the Hotline was convinced both sides are firing on all cylinders though - especially with Rangers facing a crucial Europa League quarter final second leg against Braga on Thursday.
Let’s begin with some positivity though and Rangers fan John Davidson, Armadale, has been given new belief by Kemar Roofe’s hat-trick in Paisley. John said: “The Roofe is on fire. Here's hoping he can carry it on to an inferno for Thursday and Sunday.”
Eddie Lauchlan, Largs, isn’t convinced. He said: “I’m a lifelong Rangers supporter but the 4-0 win is fooling no one, the league was lost last week at Ibrox. Kris Boyd even conceded that prior to kick off. This team has bottled it all season, the players are a disgrace, some want to play for the jersey and others are prima donna luxury players treading water until the summer. Give GVB investment, give him two proper windows and make Ryan Jack captain!”
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, claimed: “This is a massive week for Rangers, their season could be over this time next week with Celtic going through the gears on and off the park. The question is can Rangers stop the Celtic juggernaut? It’s a big ask with all the off-field distractions and a board who can’t get anything right.”
And Alfie Mullin, London, quipped: “While I still haven't given up on Rangers winning the title, it's going to be difficult but it's still mathematically possible and we are going to need favours. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst needs to take a leaf out of the womens’ team book. They seem to be running away with their league. Maybe Gio can nick a couple of their players.”
Scott Cassidy, Bridgeton, reckons Gers’ struggles can be traced back to an injury in January. He said: “Missing Ianis Hagi has been the reason for our downfall since Christmas. He’s the one player that we can sell in summer and get £20m plus.”
Sticking with the Old Firm and Ciaran Mallon, Belfast, had a message for Hotline caller Gary Stevenson and said: “Gary was keen to remind us Celtic supporters that Bodo/Glimt beat us 5-1 over two legs earlier in the season. Well here’s a more recent stat that might interest him, Celtic have beaten Rangers 5-1 over the last two Old Firms. But at the end of the day the only stat that really matters is who wins the league and I think we all know the likely answer to that question.”
Dermot Desmond’s thinly veiled dig at Rangers on Friday - in which he referenced Celtic’s continuous history - stoked debate over the weekend.
Derek Morris called yesterday’s Hotline to claiming the Hops already had changed their name in 1994.
But Michael Emonds, Northampton, said: “Nice try by Derek Morris saying Celtic changed their name in 1994. If he thinks there’s any comparison between Celtic’s history and Rangers he can forget it. No administration no liquidation only a change in stock exchange status from private limited company to public limited company. In fact Celtic have the same company registration number since 1897 and unbroken SFA registration since 1888.”
Onto this weekend’s other derby semi final, the Edinburgh version, and Brian Stavert, Dumbarton is a worried Hibee after his side lost the dress rehearsal 3-1 at Tynecastle on Saturday.
Brian slammed: “As a season ticket holder at Easter Road just a wee message for Shaun Maloney.. sign some midfield players that can tackle and have a heart as Saturday was a joke! Campbell, Wright, Scott and Mueller simply offer nothing and are not good enough for this club.”
