Only in the rarified world of Scottish football could an act of sportsmanship stir a furious reaction from fans across our game.
The decision by Rangers to concede an unopposed goal has branched into a spat which continues to rumble on. Eddie Easson Ballingry, said: "My sides are hurting with laughing at the comments on here about sportsmanship. Could you imagine the next Old Firm game if Rangers are a goal down and the same thing happens again. There's not a chance Michael Beale would tell his players to allow Celtic to score. This is a support which has slaughtered most teams in the league."
James Forsyth, Bellshill, said: "If you look at the Malik Tillman 'goal' from another angle, the Thistle player had plenty of time to clear the ball once he received it. Was he stalling for time? The referee could have given the free kick against Thistle and Tillman took the goal well but having been at the game, I am glad Rangers did what they did."
Tam Williamson, Lanarkshire, emailed: "It beggars belief that Rangers fans are praising their club for fair play and honesty whilst insinuating that other SPL clubs would cheat to gain success? Is this not the same club that was shamed throughout the football world, liquidated and forced to restart in Scotland's lowest league for the use of EBTs in order to cheat their way to success. You couldn't make it up."
James Fleming, emailed: "I can't believe some of the callers on the Holine about sportsmanship from Rangers fans as they have short memories. Their club were cheating all through the 1990s with the EBT scheme."
George Wilson, West Sussex: "It was an embarrassing comment from Kenny Wilson on the Hotline to turn a magnanimous act by Rangers into an accusation of cheating. Malik Tillman was badly fouled then physically manhandled by Thistle players with very little action taken against them. Tillman didn’t fully know what was going on and under the rules went on to score a goal which he was perfectly entitled to do. Where was the so-called cheating? No rules were broken. Rangers have had that action rewarded with the easier home tie in the quarter-finals but as we always get from the Celtic camp this too will no doubt be seen as conspiracy or cheating."
Steve Macleod, Wokingham, emailed: "Chris Sutton's question as to whether Rangers would be so sporting against Celtic is irrelevant, the question we all wonder is whether Celtic would be so sporting against Thistle? This is a club that accepts incomplete league titles after all."
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, emailed: "Another week which shows the difference in class between Rangers and Celtic. Rangers and their decision to allow Partick Thistle to score an unopposed goal in the same weekend where the Green Brigade brought further shame to their club."
Alan McGaw, Alloa, emailed: Well done to Beale for the sporting integrity shown in the game with Thistle. It was a massive decision to call which was correct. It could have backfired but sportsmanship was there to let the media see the honesty from our manager. I’ve never seen this at a game before and as they say ,footballs a funny game. I’m also shocked the Jags sacked Ian McCall as Thistle played very well."
Henry Moffat, Stirling, emailed: "Having watched Rangers a couple of times recently, it’s clear they have one decent player and that’s Tillman and they face paying a £5 million to keep him beyond this summer. Todd Cantwell looks bang average and they may well probably lose Tillman and Ryan Kent for nothing which would leave them in a massive mess."
Neil Renton, Edinburgh, emailed: "Darvel’s hammering at home to Falkirk showed how embarrassing their defeat of Aberdeen actually was. The Dons will need to win the league next year to make amends. Going by the way they’ve been playing, that could well be the Championship."
Alan Lough, Dunbar, emailed: "Manchester City have been given a boost with the news that Erling Haaland will be fit to play against Arsenal on Wednesday night. Given that City have eight league titles to their name, it makes you wonder how they ever managed without him."
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