The ball has yet to start rolling on the Old Firm's Scottish Cup semi-final but already Rangers boss Michael Beale is a man under fire.
There were a few defenders of the Light Blues boss but some callers believe his card will be marked if he fails to get one over Ange Postecoglou and Celtic. Willie Mercer, Dumfries, said: "I don't understand those who are saying Beale should go if Rangers lose the semi-final. He is the manager of the team, but it is not yet his squad. Everyone knows the state we were in when he took over and the poor quality and depleted squad he inherited and the league was already over. Postecoglou has been in charge for nearly two full seasons now and has had four transfer windows to shape his team and implement his playing style. Beale has been in charge for only five months and had the benefit of only one transfer window. Surely the time to judge him is during the course of next season when the squad will be his."
Eddie Easson Ballingry, said: "Get the back pages ready for Monday. Beale the spiel will have all the excuses ready. It's very doubtful you will hear the words. 'we were beaten by the better team. Celtic haven’t been anywhere near their best in recent derby games so heaven help Rangers if they are at their best." Paddy Gowans emailed: "Beale the spiel says he's got his summer signings lined up but the players he's interested in are hardly household names just like Todd Cantwell. Next season it will be business as usual for Celtic as I have no fears."
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: "It's already the last chance saloon for Beale and his inconsistent Rangers side to turn it all around with a win over Celtic. Will he throw caution to the wind and go for broke by using a more attack-minded forward line especially against a good side that will keep coming at them. Current form means little and the long, suffering Rangers fans will be hoping they can turn it right around with a win. The truth is that Rangers are about due a result against their big rivals."
James Kennedy, Kilsyth, said: "Rangers haven’t lost yet and Hotline caller Chris Lowe has already started blaming referee Willie Collum. Has the man no shame? Does he not realise such mindless rhetoric caused great suffering and agony to Kevin Clancy and his family? He should keep such talk to himself and learn to take a beating. Callum McGregor is possibly the best Scottish player in Scotland just now and doesn’t have to resort to the level of kick and push Rangers players about."
Michael Emonds, Northampton, said: "Lowe says Callum McGregor is in the referee’s ear during the match and Collum is terrified of Celtic. He sent off Jozo Simunovic at Ibrox!"
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, said: "What a pathetic load of baloney from Jamie Thompson in Thursday's Hotline. Beale has only lost to Celtic and Aberdeen and yet he wants him sacked. He needs to get real."
Kenneth Hutton emailed: "Yet again Henry Moffat is spouting rubbish trying to say Rangers fans are causing fear in the minds of our referees. It has been Celtic fans who have caused the first and only referee strike by constantly moaning about referee bias against them and now VAR."
Rab from Dumfries, said: "Given Police Scotland will not permit Celtic to win the league title at Ibrox, can we assume the SFA will ensure they are successful at Tynecastle through use and control of their Celtic minded officials, including, undoubtedly, a number of dubious match deciding factors, as per usual?"
Stephen Johnstone Ardentinny, said: "Celtic are already bragging about winning the treble but they still have to face Rangers and if they win then it'll either be Inverness or Falkirk. It may come back to haunt them as I remember the night that Inverness went ballistic."
Neil Renton, Edinburgh, said: "It’ll be a kick in the teeth for Barry Robson if he doesn’t get the Aberdeen job on a full time basis. The interim boss has performed a miracle with the Dons and is a shout for manager of the year."
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