One more sleep until the jolly fella with the white beard takes centre stage in our lives.
Not not Jim Goodwin, although the St Mirren boss has certainly been front and centre of another epic week in Scottish football, but with Santa set to bring joy and cheer you’d like to think the antagonism that surrounds our game could maybe take a day or two off.
Not on the Hotline I’m afraid. The Bah Humbug brigade are in full flow again on Christmas Eve with the SPFL’s decision to bring the winter break forward two matchdays at the centre of the row.
The top flight goes into cold storage for three weeks after the Boxing Day clashes thanks to rising cases of Omicron and the Scottish Government restricting crowds at games to just 500.
The Old Firm, Edinburgh and Dundee derbies are among those postponed.
Stuart McLeod, Stepps, said: “I think the SFA and SPFL have proven this new Omicron variant is unique. It must have been out Christmas shopping whilst over 100k fans were at Ibrox and Hampden last week with no threat to public safety. It will then have been doing it's Christmas wrapping on Wednesday whilst games in Edinburgh, Paisley and Perth took place and will be putting it's feet up on Boxing day for the next round of fixtures after over indulging on Turkey.
“However it will be pulling it's big boy pants on and heading to a stadium near you after Boxing Day. Coincidentally the games that have been postponed would have seen two home games for an injury hit Celtic with revenue loss against two teams who at the moment have no Covid victims.
“Remember this is the SFA who announced that games could not be halted or rearranged in the interest of sporting integrity back in 2008. If JK Rowling is looking for new ideas for a book, a wander around the corridors at the SFA could provide some mythical creatures and magical beasts. Here's hoping Santa brings them a software update and they can receive emails in a timely manner.”
Ciaron Mallon, Belfast, argued: “The hollow sounding outcry from the anti- Celtic brigade over the winter break being brought forward is pathetic. The fact is that 10 of the 12 SPFL clubs wanted it, not just Celtic. I believe it’s called democracy in action. But I guess if my club had won only one of the last 31 trophies available I might be desperate to stop the opposition at any cost too.”
Paul McCormack, Coatbridge, said: “Interested to read that the idea to move winter break, requested by eight teams, then voted in by 10 teams has become the ‘Celtic’ request. A common sense vote, despite what some would say.”
Davie Stitt, Dalbeattie, took aim at Holyrood saying: “I don't always agree with Chris Sutton's comments but his article in the paper regarding the Scottish government is true - they rule with an iron fist. Also Barry Ferguson's comment about the government always willing to give football a kicking is an honest statement. As I have always said this government is anti-sport and hospitality.”
Meanwhile, Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, said: “The call to bring the winter break forward has great potential to put egg on the face of the SPFL and Neil Doncaster.
“Firstly we don't know if the weather will change in January, secondly should three players be away on international duty a club can ask for a postponement, with the Africa Cup of Nations set to take place and Rangers currently having three players in the Nigeria squad, should Nigeria reach the final Rangers may not play again after Sunday until mid-February which would surely mean the league would struggle to be finished in time and all this is before the potential signings Celtic may make from the Japanese league which could set the same scenario for Celtic.
“Should the SPFL claim that the AFCON are not international dates then that is a clear ism. Neil Doncaster may end up wishing he thought about the Scottish game rather than having pandered to Celtic wishes again.
“Yes safety is the issue so why are the Boxing Day games going ahead? Is it because Celtic are at home? When the three choices of vote were set, why were clubs warned not to vote for an immediate winter break? There is one common factor in every aspect here and all seem to favour Celtic.
“Should Rangers win the league it will certainly be the toughest league title win in history.”
Paul McArdle, Gourock, said: “Rangers fans not happy to play in front of only 500 fans yet quite happily demanding games are played behind closed doors? Strange bunch. Still the crowds of 500 will remind them of Ibrox in the 80s.”
The delayed Old Firm will now go ahead on Wednesday, February 2. But Dennis McNab reckons there’s no chance of full houses being back by then. He said: “When was the last time the Old Firm played at 7.45pm? Do you really believe fans will be allowed into watch this game on Wednesday, February 2? Don’t think so.”
Celtic’s title hopes took a dent when they ere held to a goalless draw by a St Mirren side severely depleted by Covid on Wednesday.
And Ange Postecoglou was in the firing line.
Liam O’Hare, Cambuslang, said: “At the start of the season I got stick on here for saying Ange was a false messiah and it would all unravel. He played Kyogo in a dead rubber against Betis and he pulled his hamstring, then when we needed to beat St Mirren, he’s not even on the bench! The League Cup victory was nice, but the League could now be beyond us. Thank goodness we aren’t playing Rangers on January 2.”
Jimmy Murray, Edinburgh, said: “What planet is Ange on? Anyone can see Celtic’s problem, a total lack of professional coaching since Brendan Rodgers left. John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan shouldn't be within a 100 miles of any football ground. They are proven failures. If Ange doesn't tell the board he wants proven, professional coaches then he’s no chance.”
David Bryce, Troon, piled in too. He said: “Even though Ange has won the cup he needs to pull his socks up. His league performances have been below par. We have been awful in the last few matches and are a one man team. When Kyogo is out we are bang average. Postecoglou has to be ruthless and realise that Mikey Johnstone, Liel Abada and Owen Moffat are miles short of Celtic standard. He is tactically inept and worse off, points wise, than Neil Lennon, who was hounded out the door. Ange better start performing or fans will turn quickly!”
Samuel Ruddock, Ayr, added: “In the December 1 Hotline Celtic fans were predicting great things with Angeball and a Rangers collapse. Fast forward to Christmas Eve and the same Hotline has fans now hoping they don't go more than the six points they are now behind and desperately holding out for the transfer window. A true example of hitting the sherry too early during the festive period and pure comedy gold.”
Don Aitchison emailed: “Celtic’s season is like a game of snakes and ladders. Champions League - down the ladder to the next level, Europa League - down the next ladder to level three. Conference League - can`t go any lower you would think? But no then there’s a draw with St Mirren’s kids!”
But Seamie Gallagher, Glasgow, said: “I'm delighted that Celtic are written off for the league, albeit they are six points behind. I’ve seen enough in part one to know we can challenge and overtake the Rangers come May. Players back from injury will ensure our customary flamboyance returns.”
Finally, Rabbie Burns … sorry John Scott, Grassmoor … called to try and bring a sense of perspective this Yuletide.
He said: “Tae see us as others see us Well Rabbie is correct given you get a different perspective looking from the outside in. What a bunch of whingers associated with Scottish football. From fans to boardrooms to pundits. Nicola Sturgeon is admired down south, not for her politics but for her handling of the covid pandemic.
“How can you moan about empty stadiums when Dundee United allowed players to mingle with crowds in Newcastle where restrictions are lax in comparison to Scotland? Do all these bar room lawyers screaming about liberties ever look at covid infections in comparison to England. Aberdeen fans also need to get a grip. It's the non-vaxxers keeping this nightmare going and it is they that are now filling our hospital beds.
“For God sake guys, football will recover but our grandparents/parents and vulnerable could die. Tell them all to shut up and get on with it.”
And with that, there’s just one thing left to say, folks. Wishing you and yours and very, merry Christmas.
