Celtic and Rangers emerged from two mud wrestles at Hampden to set up an Old Firm League Cup Final. But the weekend action which saw Kilmarnock and Aberdeen KO’d was not without controversy.
The SFA found themselves in the brown stuff over the state of the national stadium’s pitch while the match officials were accused of slipping up over Kilmarnock’s penalty claims against Celtic. First the mud. Alan McGaw, Alloa, said: “Well done Rangers getting to another final. It was a struggle especially the first half but in the end we got there. It’s an absolute disgrace the quagmire of a pitch at our national stadium. The SFA should be ashamed of themselves, there’s no excuse. Well done the teams that had to play on it. SFA - get it sorted for next month.”
Dr Robert Pender emailed: “A total disgrace and embarrassment the condition of the playing surface. It is no wonder Scottish football is a laughing stock down south. Our public park in the village is 100 per cent better.” Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “How can we expect to attract quality players to Scottish football when we are asking our so called best players to play on a ploughed park? The SFA should hang their heads in shame and for anyone injured during the semi finals the SFA should pay their wages while they are out of the team.”
Hugh McKirdy reckons Aberdeen should have done better - and might have had their captain not seen red. He emailed: “A missed opportunity for Aberdeen as not the best Rangers team right now. But Anthony Stewart's tackle was stupidity and horrific as the Rangers lad was out on the touchline.”
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, added: “Having enjoyed the Aberdeen - Rangers semi then my only surprise is, why aren't Aberdeen in third position? They're a much better side then Hearts and should be above the Gorgie side who are awful to watch.”
Now onto the first semi final. And Celtic’s VAR escape against Kilmarnock.
Allan Docherty emailed: “Well done Celtic for managing to manipulate the VAR process. Fantastic propaganda for the last few weeks. The ref was clearly afraid to call the Giakoumakis incident. Wonder if they will do the same as the final approaches?”
Gordon Hendry, Ochiltree , said: “Callum McGregor said before the Killie game that VAR owed Celtic one and his criticism of the system was backed up by his manager. Let's hope both of them along with the rest of the Celtic fans can now stop their incessant bleating about VAR after Killie were denied a stonewall penalty that might have changed the direction of the semi-final. Even John Hartson admitted it was a clear penalty.”
Stuart McLeod, Stepps, added: “Not hearing the big conspiracy theories this weekend from the regular contributors. Strange how the Celtic fans and captain feel VAR was spot on on Saturday you might just get the feeling it doesn't suit their narrative.”
David Buchan emailed: “I see Celtic's well practiced art of getting inside referee's heads has paid off again. Using the old 'we're due something after so much going against us recently', well that debt is paid in full after Saturday. Not a penalty? Get real.”
Henry Moffat, Stirling, turned the argument by stating: “I’ll be honest and say Kilmarnock probably should have had a penalty but the Ben Davies tackle on Liam Scales would have earned a red at the rugby, along with Ryan Kent’s punch on the same player. It now looks like a Rangers player will have to use a weapon before conceding a penalty. This is now the most blatant conspiracy in Scottish football history.”
Finally, Kevin Nisbet’s hot streak has thrust the fit-again Hibs striker back to the forefront of transfer gossip.
Hibee Kevin Lord, Draylaw, said: “If Alfredo Morelos scored seven in six for Rangers they'd be spouting the £20m-plus rubbish again. Let's see what they offer - and they will - for Kevin Nisbet.”
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