After a quick check of the calendar to ensure it’s not April Fool’s Day it can be confirmed we have a Hotline breakthrough. Praise for Scottish officials and VAR!
The fact the applause was coming from Rangers fans who saw their side denied three goals and have a penalty award overturned in the 3-0 win over Hearts only heightens the sense of shock. This will never catch on surely? Stuart MacLeod, Stepps, said: “Can we talk about the wonderful performance from the officials at Tynecastle? It's not often you want to praise the ref and VAR team when you have had three goals disallowed and a penalty overturned but John Beaton and Co got every decision spot on so credit where it is due.”
Tom Kerray emailed: “So what are Celtic fans going to say after the game between Rangers and Hearts? Rangers had three goals rightly chalked off for offside, a penalty overturned rightly and Kent booked rightly. Do the refs have an agenda? Is VAR pro-Rangers? Just accept they get it wrong sometimes and stop moaning.”
Chris Lowe,Yoker, said: “Three goals chopped off, a penalty kick awarded and overturned and a yellow card given. No cheap jibes from our manager, no conspiracies. No complaints. Just happy to play on a level playing field with VAR doing it’s job.”
Stephen Hendry emailed: “As a Rangers fan I have to say well done to the team on a very good performance against Hearts and also well done to VAR getting the big calls correct. But why did it take so long to come to the decisions? Two of them were clear as day.”
Celtic fans were happy with their side after seeing their side sweep aside Livingston 3-0 to maintain their nine point lead at the top. But the Hotline Hoops weren’t so impressed with Hearts’ display against Rangers. Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: "Another three points towards another title with another dominating display.
"Good individual performances all over the pitch with the three midfielders totally controlling the game and I don’t think Callum McGregor gave the ball away once all night. No surprise to see Hearts roll over as usual for Rangers but I can’t see anything stopping us now - they’re only chasing shadows.”
David Bryce, Troon, added: “Celtic were good against Livingston. It was a stellar performance. On a side note, the events at Tynecastle are the reason the Hearts support will never take to Robbie Neilson. His results against Rangers are an embarrassment. Every time he plays them he raises the white flag. He is a bang average manager.”
And Neil Renton, Edinburgh, said: “Forget the chat about Old Firm having reserve teams playing in the Scottish leagues. Rangers already have this in Hearts. How else can you explain the Jam Tarts lying down to their Ibrox pals every time they play each other?
Aberdeen are taking their time over the next manager appointment at Pittodrie. But Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: “Dave Cormack's list of candidates for the vacant manager's job don't tickle my fancy.
"Too many are on the unemployment scrap heap and if they were that good would be in a job. But one guy who stands out is Malky Mackay of Ross County. He’s worked wonders on a shoe string and after another great result against Hibs it’s time to bring him in from the cold and give Malky a crack at the top table.”
Finally, with the transfer window closed for another few months, Kevin Kean, Inchinnan, said: “An underwhelming window mainly of players we have never heard of. The worrying thing is none of the Old Firm youngsters are breaking through but rather they are moved on. Patterson and Tierney are the only two in five years to have made any impact, a pitiful figure.”
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