Maurice Ross has set the cat among the pigeons by dubbing Celtic hat-trick hero Giorgos Giakoumakis “classless” over his claims that Celtic are better than Rangers in every area.
The former Ibrox defender, now manager at Cowdenbeath, got Hoops fans in a flap when he told Record Sport his old side would now use the comments to fuel their title push.
Others reckon it's all much ado about nothing.
Paul McArdle, Gourock, chirped: “Cheap talk from Maurice Ross and Rangers fans. How can they claim the title will go down to the wire? Rangers need to start winning away games, they have failed in last two including being destroyed by the mighty Celtic.”
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, Fife, said: “Ross should really concentrate on his day job of saving Cowdenbeath. The ‘what if’ brigade are in full force at Rangers. They should’ve had a penalty but they should’ve also had a man sent off to miss the next two games. Rangers have had enough dodgy penalties in the past so it evens it self up of the course.”
But David Bryce, Troon, reckons Ross has a point - and he suggested the Hoops sacrifice Thursday’s trip to Bodo/Glimt to keep top players fresh for Sunday’s HIbs clash.
David said: “I agree with Mo Ross. Gioukoumakis should keep his mouth shut. He should be humble and realise that this Celtic side are not a great side at all, as evidenced in the last five home games, bar the Old Firm. They’ve not played well since Fir Park and Hibs will be a tough game. Ange would be as well giving up on the Bodo game and leaving the big guns at home. The Norwegians are far too slick and fit.”
It didn’t take long for the subject matter to return to Sunday’s refereeing controversies in Rangers draw with Dundee United and Celtic’s win over Dundee.
Brian Wright, Bannockburn, said: “Bobby Madden and his linesmen need eye tests. How they all missed the two penalty claims for Rangers and the tackle by Ryan Jack is not acceptable. Retrospective punishments have been given out to players for years now. It’s time referees came under the same scrutiny and punished accordingly. And make any punishment public and not behind closed doors.”
Stephen Butler, Glasgow, said: “Bobby Madden should make a point of reporting Dundee United to the SFA over their obvious absence of ballboys. Time again and again Rangers were denied the ball and had to try and retrieve it thus losing several minutes of match time. At one point when James Tavernier fetch the ball another ball was thrown onto the pitch which was kicked off by him then yet another one thrown on and kicked off by Ryan Jack which again came back to him.”
But Gerry Kelly emailed: “Rangers fans have a cheek to moan and complain about not getting a penalty. This is the same club who get the most penalties in the league and they still complain. Your striker missed umpteen chances and ours bagged three goals. Deal with it.”
Ciaran Mallon, Belfast, said: “It’s getting boring reading comments from all these Rangers fans complaining that referees are handing Celtic the league. Against Dundee, Celtic had a stonewaller not given when we were 2-1 up in the first half then Dundee equalise and rather than feel sorry for ourselves we still find a way to win. Rangers go a goal down against Dundee United and then equalise and have a stonewaller turned down but then fail to find a way to win and instead blame the referee for their failure. Right there is the difference between the two clubs and the real reason Celtic are sitting pretty at the top of the league.”
Over to Hearts now and Robbie Neilson is finding himself under pressure after a run of just one point from their last four games - including successive defeats to the bottom team.
Barrimore Barlow, Dunbartonshire, said: “We were hoping for a semblance of a challenge from Hearts this year but Neilson is too unenterprising a manager. Hearts have a revolving door for comings and goings, there is no chance of any stability as too many are only there for half a season. Since June 2020, 19 are no longer there - how can anything be forged from that? He could be the next casualty.”
And Ian Jardine, Brechin, said: “In most games Hearts create numerous chances but are wasteful. They should not be losing to Dundee and St Johnstone. A striker should have been a priority in January window. Must do better.”
