Brendan Rodgers' second coming at Celtic might not have gone down well with the Green Brigade. But Hotline callers reckon it’s the supporters group themselves who should be in the firing line.
The Irishman admitted he regrets the hurt his exit from Celtic Park in 2019 caused fans if not the decision itself. The ultras group might take some convincing after they shared a picture of their ‘fraud’ banner from four years ago last week. But Richard Wharton, Carlisle, said: “If the Green Brigade don’t like the appointment of Rodgers why don’t’ they give up their season tickets? I am certain others would love to get them.”
Jimmy Murray, Edinburgh, said: “Why don’t the Green Brigade just take their tifos, Palestinian flags, trade union banners, all their political views and disappear. Don’t they realise they’re a laughing stock? They don’t speak for the majority of Celtic fans. And why do they call themselves a brigade? The fans just as every other club just want to turn up on a Saturday and watch their team.” However, Paddy Gowans emailed: “Rodgers said he would never apologise for leaving Celtic as Henrik, Tierney and Van Dijk never apologised. I can't believe the size of his ego - these guys did the team proud while he stabbed them in the back.”
Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, said: “I read the Celtic supporters saying that Rangers fans are petrified of the coming season under Rodgers. Well, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. We’ll see.”
Rangers have targeted Brighton forward Abdallah Sima on loan while Scotland hitman Lyndon Dykes has been linked too. But Robert Hunter, Govan , said: “Rangers should forget going for strikers we’ve never heard of, playing for relegated teams in Europe and go for Lawrence Shankland and Duk, who have already proven to be regular goal scorers. We could probably get them both for what Cyriel Dessers would cost.”
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, agrees. He added: “Lyndon Dykes is not the answer, he's done little at QPR and they just escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth and Dykes only managed eight goals all season. The real 20-plus goals a season man is Shankland and he's already proven that this season. He’s a natural scorer.”
Peter Galbraith emailed: “I read that Charlie Adam reckons that Rangers should go out and buy a replacement for Malik Tillman. Why doesn’t Michael Beale save Rangers a whack of money and instead give Alex Lowry an extended run from the start in the first team?
"This boy has an abundance of talent and natural ability. It’s time he was given a proper chance in the Rangers team instead of sitting on his backside warming the subs bench. Beale has been reluctant to play Lowry even when Rangers have been comfortable in games. Hopefully he will be given his chance and I have no doubt he will show how good he is.”
At the other end of the park, Terry Donnelly, Dunfermline, is less than convinced by new Gers goalkeeper Jack Butland. He said: “Butland thinks he can oust Pickford as England's number one? The only way he will get close to Pickford is if he gets them to transport his belongings to Scotland.”
Finally, up to Tayside where Dundee United fan Kenny Goff wasn’t mincing his words over wantaway stars. He emailed: “If Aziz Behich and any other players want to leave because they think there too big to play in the Championship well its their fault the club got relegated. If they want to go then go. Also, United need an experienced keeper next season so they should try and get the bench warmer Benji Siegrist, back from Celtic as the ones last season were hopeless.”
