There's nothing like a good performance in Europe to restore a sense of calm and wellbeing on the Hotline .
And the abysmal show Rangers put on in Belgium on Tuesday night was nothing like a good performance. So the knives are out already for Gio van Bronckhorst and his players on both sides of the great divide following the 2-0 defeat against Union Saint Gilloise which has left them with a mountain to climb and their Champions League group stage hopes hanging by a thread.
First up, Celtic fan Andy Logan from Livingston who said: “Have to chuckle the new signings Rangers have made are world beaters. Heard the same last year, two words for these delusional fans – Ramsey and Diallo. Wonder if VAR will still solve all the claims of being cheated after last night’s game? It’s in and they will still claim the world is against them.”
What’s that you say? All’s fair in love and VAR? Hotline regular John Bruce certainly thought so before Tuesday night. And the green half of Glasgow weren’t slow in reminding him after the man with the remote control intervened so dramatically to award Union with the dodgiest of penalty kicks.
Luigi from Renfrewshire said: “From reading the babblings of John Bruce and the like it appears VAR has been in Scotland for years. Vendetta against Rangers? Just something else to moan about. What next, the quality of the halftime pies cost us the game?”
Not surprisingly the Celtic fans were coming thick and fast. Next up Denny’s Patrick Cunningham who said: “The depth Rangers have fallen must be worrying to their followers. Yes we all know their run in Europe was sensational but only because of how a bang average team can actually reach a final of a major trophy. They have now sold all their assets to pay the bills and bought players that no one else wants. On a positive note it looks like Morelos has the hunger back, just a pity it’s for food and not football.”
And still they came. James McClean, Isle of Bute, said: “Rangers have been shouting for VAR, now after last night’s game they said it got it wrong. Wise up. What do you want? Van Bronckhorst said 2-0 was wrong – he is right it should have been 4-0.”
Tam Williamson from Lanarkshire added: “Gubbed 2-0 going on 6-0 by a bang average outfit. They sold Bassey and Aribo to help lower their debts and replaced them with unknown nonentities on the cheap. Lord Lucan could hide in this Rangers team. Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts will have a big say as to who finishes second to Celtic this season.”
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: “Forget all the excuses. Rangers have started the season abysmally. Played for 20 minutes against Livingston and were even worse against Union SG. On here the usual suspects are shouting for VAR and it haunted them with a poor decision. They have a mountain to climb next week.”
Rangers fan Drew Ferguson from Oban was equally scathing. He said: “After the shambles in Leuven a reality check is needed. The new players need time so if we have any chance of getting back into this game we need the creativity of Davis, Arfield, Kent and Morelos to get game time on Saturday as Colak and Matonda were invisible in Belgium. Barasic needs to take to the bench as he is a liability at the moment and Davies needs to replace Sands.”
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, added: “Rangers made far too many mistakes against the Belgians and, frankly, got off lightly with only a two goal loss. It could have been three or four. Next week may well be mission impossible.”
Celtic fan Bud Hay, Dumfries, said: “Rangers new signings are nothing to worry about. John Bruce and all the others on the Hotline have been bragging about these new players but I am putting my neck on the line - the next game they play will be their last in the Champions League. They have more chance of getting through this round than I have landing on the moon.”
Bud may have got that punchline the wrong way round. But who cares? Next up Rangers fan Gordon Hendry said: “I’m hopping GVB finally realises against USG that McLaughlin and Sands are not Rangers class and should be nowhere near this team. We won’t win the league with these two in the starting XI. Good to see Yilmaz get some game time as Barisic had another shocker. Whilst it was a poor penalty decision, we didn’t deserve anything from the game.”
Alloa’s Alan McGaw chipped in: “What an embarrassment in Belgium last night. We were humiliated with the side all over the place and ran out of ideas. “Also it could have been more. To think we were finalists in Europa league in May then to this. Well Gio your players let you down and the fans.”
Kenny Wilson, Moffat said: ”About time this overrated Rangers team were found out for what they are. I’ve never known a team to be so overhyped when they have won next to nothing. I still think they will go through but maybe the fans will stop telling us how much better they are than Celtic now … I don’t think so somehow.”
Arrin Geddes, Irvine, said: “After banging on about VAR for months I’m sure John Bruce will be on today, satisfied with the outcome last night after the correct VAR decision was eventually given. Maybe he will have a different view though if he had his his blue blinkers on.”
Last word to the man himself. John Bruce said: “Rangers had a poor night and a poor result against Union in Belgium - and the decision to award a penalty after using VAR wasn’t the reason for it. The players will have to come out of their malaise and play like they want to be in the Champions League - and Ibrox against Kilmarnock on Saturday seems like a good place to start. Then Tuesday’s return leg against Union should take care of itself.”
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