Is Callum McGregor living in dreamland or has he got a point when backing Ange Postecoglou to lead Celtic to a Euro final?
ANDY NEWPORT: Progress for Celtic next year will be not finishing last in their Champions League group and should be the aim - but as Rangers proved, once you reach the Europa League knock-outs Scotland’s top clubs are a decent match at that level
CRAIG SWAN: It’s certainly not dreamland given Giovanni van Bronckhorst did it a year ago. It’s never going to happen in a modern-day Champions League, but Europa and Conference League Finals are possible. Rangers proved it.
FRASER WILSON: Not the Champions League that’s for sure. But Celtic and Rangers have both shown in the last 20 years that the final of the Europa League is not out of reach. Time could be the biggest obstacle if Postecoglou continues to be linked to clubs in bigger leagues.
Malik Tillman rates his chances of remaining at Rangers as 50/50 - is he worth the £5m option for Rangers?
ANDY: The kid has huge talent and bags of potential to improve. Yeah he didn’t run the Old Firm games he featured in but how many 20 years olds have? He’ll only get better with age and £5m looks a snip to what he might go for in a few years’ time.
CRAIG: Depends how much of the overall kitty it is going to take up. That’s the big issue. He’s only young and improving. £5m isn’t ridiculous.
FRASER: Not for me. Tillman has superb ability on the ball but when you’re chasing titles you need to trust every player to do the dirty side of the game without it as well - and in every game. That’s where the German lets himself down.
Steven Naismith claims VAR is failing - what’s your assessment of the first season and what needs to happen for it to improve?
ANDY: It’s not been great but it’s not the replay technology at fault, it’s the folk holding the duffer! Bobby Madden said last week the implementation had been rushed and I agree. With time and more practice it will improve. Until then it will no down continue to infuriate managers, players and fans.
CRAIG: Assessment is it’s been a complete pain. What needs to happen to improve it? Bin it.
FRASER: There’s no doubt it’s failing. Peter Haring, James Jeggo, Nicky Clark and Tony Watt will testify to that after having to turn to the SFA appeals process to overturn red cards. Clubs are paying decent money for it so the system MUST improve. And that comes down to those running it upping their game.
Aberdeen can all but tie up third spot against Hearts today but how do you see the game of the day going?
ANDY: Hearts need a win to carry the fight on and I can see a sold-out Tynecastle inspiring their team to a big win.
CRAIG: Hearts are in last-chance saloon for third and a big home crowd can inspire them to win and cut the gap.
FRASER: Hopefully it lives up to the pre-match billing. It certainly won’t be the 5-0 drubbing the Dons took in Gorgie the last time. Two sides that are well matched and I’ll go for a score draw and ‘as you were’ going into the final two games. Aberdeen will be happy with that.
