The Premiership title race is all over bar the shouting .. and there’s certainly plenty of howling on the Hotline after Sunday’s Parkhead draw.
Celtic supporters are Hooping it up as they stand on the brink of wrestling back the crown from their arch rivals.
But Rangers fans reckon their side’s spirited showing - a fortnight after their Scottish Cup semi final derby victory and in the middle of their Europa League semi final - proves they’re a better side.
Jack Armstrong, Bathgate, was having none of the latter. He said: “Remember this is a Celtic side in transition who were never meant to win the Premiership this season. On the flip side Rangers had just won the league by 25 points at the start of their ‘winning cycle’ and because of one defeat in the cup they questioned Celtic’s bottle. Remind me whose bottle crashed.. at the moment a 31-point bottle. Thats a magnum.”
Jonny Robinson, Edinburgh, said: “To the Rangers supporters that have won one trophy in 10 years - I thought winning the league was the start of dominance from you lot? Big Ange has blown you lot out the water. Most of these players have not won much at Celtic so they feel the pressure, we have taken seven points out of 12 from a European super club.”
And Eddie Easson, Ballingry, claimed: “Natural order is restored. The title is coming back to Celtic Park. Celtic won’t bottle it now only one team is known for bottling. Rangers still have Europe and well done to them there but failure might well be catastrophic for them. Ask Stevie G when failure to reach the Champions League this year led to his transfer wish list being decimated.”
Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, caused a stooshie yesterday by dubbing Ange Postecoglou a one trick pony. But Bill Lockerbie, Northampton, hit back: “So Frank reckons Ange is a one trick pony and that Celtic couldn't beat an understrength Rangers team.
"Has he forgotten that a transitional Celtic side hampered by exceptional injury issues to key players has competed and overran a full Rangers squad throughout the season? We won't win the league on only one match but on our performance throughout the season. Our one trip pony looks more like a thoroughbred now.”
Right on cue Frank called to say: “Celtic will win the league, or receive the league title, as Rangers made a present of it to them around the February fixtures. They are a very lightweight team and in Europe they will be up against it.”
John Stewart, Newton Mearns, is another who reckons Rangers gifted their title away. He blasted: “Now that Rangers have handed the league to Celtic, I hope that the directors who didn’t allow Gerrard or GVB a transfer kitty and the players who gifted goals and points by unforced errors all take a good hard look at themselves. The league has been handed to a bang average team who should have been finished at Christmas.”
Joe Graham, Garrowhill, said: “I can understand now how Celtic went out of Europe three times in one season, they just don’t know how to play against European teams. They were lucky to play a tired European team in Rangers and fortunate to hold out for a share of the points. They were totally outplayed at home to a better side who should have got more than a point on the day. Still a lot to play for in this season yet.”
But Arrin Geddes, Irvine, said: “Six points clear, seven points won in the derby matches and unbeaten in the league for seven and a half months but apparently the league table does lie. If Rangers were that good they would have won on Sunday, time to accept what you see in front of you.”
Alfie Mullin, London, said: “What's the Celtic manager going on about? He said his team have been unbelievable, in every challenge they have had this season. Absolutely not true. They have been believable in the three Euro tourneys they entered. It's totally believable that they would get knocked out of all of them.”
But Harry Fitzpatrick, Ontario, said: “What game was Van Bronckhorst watching? Missed chances? The game should have been over by half time with the chances Celtic had.”
Moving on to Thursday’s return tie with Leipzig in Govan and Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: “The Leipzig encounter could be the same old story for Rangers, it's putting limited chances in the back of the net especially without a top goal scorer. Morelos would've got a goal or two on Sunday but they just don't have any half decent replacement for him.”
Away from the Old Firm and brassed-off Aberdeen fan Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, said: “The end of the season can't come quick enough at Pittodrie. The team is rank rotten and if serious money is offered for Calvin Ramsey and Lewis Ferguson then bite the buyers’ hand off. Jim Goodwin needs a good summer of recruitment.”
