The curtain came down on 2022 for the Premiership clubs with Celtic still leading the way by nine points after their win at Easter Road.
And the Hoops support reckon it will be more of the same as 2023 gets under way, with the punters calling the Hotline predicting a New Year Day triumph when they first foot Ibrox on January 2. Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, was first up to say: “Anything less than three points for Celtic against Hibs would have thrown Michael Beale and Rangers a few crumbs of comfort going into Monday’s match.
“However, I was astonished to hear Beale say Celtic are playing at a higher level just now and I hope Ange Postecoglou reminds his starting XI exactly that before they take the field with a twelve point lead looking like it’s on the cards.”
Gers made it four wins on the bounce under Beale as they eased past Motherwell but Celtic fan Bud Hay, Dumfries, isn't convinced: “We will see how Rangers get on when the play the best team in Scotland. They’ve won four in a row but they haven’t played anybody yet. Celtic will beat them on Monday and that league will be over.”
David Bryce, Troon, believes two Hoops men will find themselves on the bench: “Celtic turned in a superb performance at Easter Road, one to the most convincing I have ever seen at a difficult ground. Aaron Mooy and Daizen Maeda were superb, with Carl Starfelt was strong at the back.
“But I think Liel Abada and Matt O’Riley have played themselves out of the Old Firm game. They were both poor and Abada never seems to seize his opportunity when he gets it.”
There's hope around Govan ahead of the big day, as Colin Laidlaw, Bishopbriggs, said: “Slowly but surely Beale is turning things around at Ibrox. Four wins on the bounce, two clean sheets and 10 goals scored in four goals.
"We still look a bit too open at times but if we can tighten things up I see no reason why we can’t get a win on Monday. Then it’s game on for the title.
It’s derby Day in Edinburgh too on Monday with Robbie Neilson’s high-flying Hearts hosting Hibs. Jambo Davy Cook, Restalrig, said: “Lee Johnson says Hearts aren’t on the same level as Celtic, maybe not but they are third in the league, five points above Hibs and a European team. I hope you’re eating humble pie come January 2!"
From the green half of the capital, Neil Renton, Edinburgh, rang to say: “I’m a Hibee but I’ve got a bad feeling for us in the New Year derby at Hearts.
“The only good thing is that the game is on January 2 so we’ll all still be too hungover from Hogmanay for us to notice!”
It’s been a miserable end to the year for Aberdeen, with four straight defeats for Jim Goodwin’s team after their latest loss at Kilmarnock.
Jamie Thompson, Clydebank, emailed in: “So Jim Goodwin has the backing of unemployed Neil Lennon. I’m not sure if Jim needs this backing. Neil Lennon is after your job Jim and Neil Lennon will be Aberdeen’s next manager before April!”
Terry Donnelly, Dunfermline, meanwhile isn't too happy with penalty kick awards: “The number of penalties being awarded in the SPFL is getting ridiculous since VAR was introduced. Maybe games should start with a penalty shootout and then we can just tick them off as the game goes on.”
