The addition of another Japanese player, Yuki Kobayashi, to Celtic’s ranks provoked a response on the Hotline . As did the seemingly imminent arrival of Michael Beale to the Ibrox hotseat. All this and the World Cup ... what more could you ask for?
Bobby Duncan, Skelmorlie, started us off with this offering: “I have a very stark warning for Celtic. With the expectation of yet another Japanese player, defender Kobayashi, arriving in January, what happens if Ange Postecoglou is tempted away or if results deteriorate and Rangers have a resurgence brings pressure for a change? Will these players, who arrived because of him, be happy to stay, will the incoming manager want them? This could be a real headache for the club in the future. Why can’t the club look at young Scottish players to develop and bring on for the longer term?”
Gerry Milligan, Erskine, added: “With Celtic moving quickly for Yuki Kobayashi, a left sided centre back, I feel it spells the end for Liam Scales – unfairly as he was never played in his natural position at any time. If we keep Jenz then Welsh is exposed too. Rangers will be envious we are strengthening even further.” But Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton emailed: “Ange Postecoglou must have had a wry smile on his face after Japan’s win against Germany. Bringing in copious amounts of Japanese players was looked upon as a backward step by many in the Scottish game but I still found it bizarre that the best striker in the SPFL, Kyogo couldn’t even make the squad.”
Peter Brown emailed with a suggestion for the Ibrox board to consider: “If Michael Beale is appointed, Kevin Thomson, Tom Culshaw and Big Duncan Ferguson are the backroom staff he should get.”
Willie Mercer, Dumfries, said: “Those Rangers supporters who are touting for Beale as the next manager and crediting him with being the tactical brains behind stopping 10IAR, are forgetting that he was part of the set up in the two seasons prior to this when we won diddly squat. While I was delighted in us stopping 10IAR, this was aided by a Celtic side that was imploding at the time. Beware what you wish for.”
Michael Emonds, Northampton, said: “George Wilson on his weekly rant says the anti Rangers Hotliners are running scared because Rangers are about to get a new manager and its game on, last season he told us what a great signing Aaron Ramsey was and would help Rangers win the league. Well George, when are you gonna realise forecasting isn’t your strong suit?”
And Arrin Geddes, Irvine, also took George to task, saying: “George Wilson thinks Rangers can only improve but with more than half a dozen players contracts running out, more boardroom infighting and more financial black clouds overhead you would have to be the most optimistic man on the planet to think it will happen anytime soon.”
Jake Curley, Edinburgh, asked: ”Can Scottish football as a whole take action to vilify Celtic’s view that there is institutional discrimination against their club? I suggest Celtic should be allowed to bus or fly in Video Assistant Referees of their choosing until the end of the season. This would give the majority of Scottish football fans a well earned break from their constant whining and whinging.”
John Stuart , Maybole, emailed: “Watching the World Cup has made me think that it’s time that football has an off field timekeeper. The clock should stop whenever that ball goes out of play. Then we wouldn’t get this 90+14 garbage that we are getting now.”
Finally, Davy Matson needs to stop beating about the bush. He said: “So, Ronaldo had his contract terminated by Man United... I would have made the petulant little b****** play in the reserves and when he spat the dummy and refused to play, fine him the maximum allowed and keep on doing it. After all, without his teammates he is nothing.”
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