The silence may be deafening around Ibrox right now.
But the noise never stops in the land of the Hotline. Suffice to say, as the clamour for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’ s head continues, a furious debate is now also up and running over how Rangers have got themselves into such a state in such a short space of time since the run to Seville.
First up, a call for calm from Irwin Houston in Glasgow’s Giffnock . He said: “I would appreciate it if my fellow Rangers fans lay off Gio as the man has had a horrendous injury list to contend with. Players are played out of position every week and this has a severe impact on their performances. The fans should be venting their anger at Ross Wilson, who let two key defenders go in the summer, namely Balogun and Katic. His total singing policy has been a disaster. If there had been a game next week Rangers would have had NO defenders in their team. I have only two words for my fellow Rangers fans baying for Gio’s head - ‘Arsenal’ and ‘Arteta’,”.
And Rangers fan Alan Milligan added: “Gio Van Bronckhorst must go but the man who has caused the most damage is Ross Wilson. He should be out the door first. He has cost the club millions with his below standard signings and his failure to sell the likes of Morelos and Kent last summer. Both are now worthless.”
Celtic fan Stephen Mulhearn, Dumbarton said: “I heard Kenny Miller say van Bronckhorst made the mistake of not having ex-Rangers staff in his back room team, which confirmed my opinion that Ange Postecoglou was correct in keeping John Kennedy when a host of Celtic supporters wanted him out the door. He has proved to be an integral success in helping Ange moving the club forward and long may he continue in his current role.”
And a gloating Paul McCormack, Coatbridge added: “A five week shutdown for the World Cup? That's 5 weeks for Ryan Kent to have a good look for what we keep hearing he's got ‘in his locker’. It’s not been seen all season, it must be somewhere right at the back.”
George Wilson, West Sussex said: “As a Rangers supporter I am naturally disappointed by our performances this season. It’s too early to concede the league but it’s going to be difficult to pull back Celtic. What is utterly ridiculous though is this paranoid nonsense from the Celtic camp that there is a conspiracy against them.
“I agree it was never a penalty against O’Riley but the Celtic fans forget all the many decisions that go in their favour. They have won the league for 10 seasons out of 11 and are now 9 points clear again so any anti Celtic conspiracy would have stopped this. We all know the standard of refereeing in Scotland is poor and now also some of the judgements after VAR are just as bad but to suggest they are all conspiring against Celtic is quite frankly nonsense and pathetic.”
He’s only gone and mentioned the VAR! You just know what’s coming next.
Edinburgh’s Neil Renton was next up. He said: “The introduction of VAR has done nothing other than demonstrate we still can’t get decisions right in Scottish football even with the aid of technology. Let’s hope it disappears during the World Cup break.”
Seamie Gallagher weighed in: “Caller Chris Lowe loves VAR and I see why. One dodgy penalty for Rangers at Paisley and another for Ross County at Parkhead? Well, Celtic never stop. So VAR or Rangers pose no problems to us going forward. The gap is now nine and growing!”
And Eddie Easson, Ballingry, Fife said: “Of course there will be conspiracy theories and teething problems. But the SFA aren't covering themselves in glory with their handling of the system. In past years we had some good refs now retired. Why aren't the blazers utilising these old heads' skills?”
Last word to Stephen Ward, Milngavie, who suspects he’s uncovered a cunning plan. He said: “Teams are now trying to beat Celtic by kicking the ball against the players’ arms in the penalty box. There is more of a chance of getting a penalty than trying to score from open play.”
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