A ball has not even been kicked in earnest in the new season and already Alfredo Morelos is splitting opinion.
Still, would Hotline devotees have it any other way?
If the Rangers striker announced plans to swim the Atlantic, some would complain it’s only because he isn’t strong enough to front crawl the Pacific.
One caller praised the scoring record of Morelos in the Europa League last season, only to be shot down.
Brian McColligan , via email, said: “Chris Lowe is on about Alfredo Morelos’ Europa League record before Christmas. Does he forget Rangers played 14 games to that point?
“Big teams such as Arsenal had only played six, so it’s hardly a fair comparison and nothing to get exited about.”
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: “Alfredo Morelos has never scored against Celtic and netting against your biggest rivals is something a top scorer must do to win trophies.
“In the 60s that great centre forward, Jim Forrest, couldn’t stop scoring against them and in one season scored 57 goals.
“Many of those goals came in a top quality league that was up there with the best in Europe at the time. If Morelos stays I suggest he watches some old videos of Jim’s many goals against the Parkhead club.”
Alexander McCall, Ayr, said: “I don’t believe it’s Morelos most people have an issue with, but his body language as the wee guy just never looks happy.
“Players such as Kenny Dalglish weren’t shy in showing the absolute joy to be found when they hit the back of the net. Kenny’s smile could have lit up Hampden alone on a cold winter’s night. It’s time Morelos took joy in his craft.”
Dougie Summers, Glasgow, said: “Morelos is paid to score goals, not win popularity. He’s done it for Rangers time and again and helped elevate the club to new standards in Europe under Steven Gerrard. I’m backing him to do the same again in the new season - if we can keep him at Ibrox.”
The new season is scheduled to get underway on August 1 with a clutch of friendlies to be played before then.
However, there’s still ill feeling over the way the last campaign was ended by the SPFL, the ramifications of which are still being fought out by lawyers and QCs.
Samuel Ruddock, Ayr, said: “It’s great to see the new fixtures out and hopefully we get a full completion of fixtures and a true winner this time around.
“The only real winners were the teams who forfeited the title due to a pandemic. They knew there were more important things happening in the world, rather than worry about a lump of silver.”
Jake Curley, Edinburgh, said: “I have to take my hat off to Celtic. They have complete control over every aspect of professional football in this country and they have more media savvy than all the leagues put together.”
Several clubs, including Hearts and Hibs, have been signing players after previously asking top team stars to take wage cuts.
Kenny Goff, via email, said: ”What a total disgrace from clubs asking staff and players to take wage cuts, while in the background they trying to sign new players. Can we assume they are using the money the staff and players are not getting?”
Finally, a very fair point via email from Robbie MacLeod, said: “Brian Lavery was greetin’ yesterday about Steven Naismith and described him as a joke.
“Is this the same Naismith that regularly contributes to homeless charities in Glasgow and Liverpool?
“He certainly didn’t play with two mediocre teams either - Everton and Norwich are in the Premier League.”
