Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Sports Hotline

Ange Postecoglou knows the Celtic signing he MUST make to stop Rangers tough guys running amok – Hotline

The fallout from Celtic's Scottish Cup defeat to Rangers continued to dominate a Hotline that again had referee Bobby Madden front and centre.

Opinion was split on the whistler's performance and there was also a call claiming Jack Ross should still be in charge of Hibs after Shaun Maloney was shown the door.

Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: " Celtic had the same swagger as Braga and just thought they'd turn up and take another step towards winning a trophy but Rangers had more steam than them both and knocked them out. Gio van Bronckhorst must believe his team can reach both the Europa League Final as well as winning the Scottish Cup and put the club back where they belong among the best in any football competition and feared again."

Joe Smith, Coleraine, said: "Celtic fans said Madden was embarrassing but they should be embarrassed by their team as they were outplayed by a side that played 120 minutes two days before and were still running rings round them in extra time ."

Alan Milligan, Glasgow, said: "I have to laugh at all these Celtic fans complaining about Madden. Have they ever seen Kevin Clancy referee Rangers games? He even won them a League Cup a couple of years ago with his totally inept performance."

George Wilson, West Sussex, said: "All we heard last week in this column and on radio phone-ins and on social media was how Celtic had completely blown St Johnstone away with their total football and would do the same to Rangers.

"Well Rangers aren’t St Johnstone and Celtic's Japanese contingent were too lightweight for the Rangers strong men such as Calvin Bassey, Kemar Roofe and John Lundstram.

"Celtic claim it was Madden's fault that they lost. Is this the same Madden who favoured Celtic when they beat Rangers 3-0? Just like they blew 10-in-a-row, they have now blown a potential Treble. Celtic did it, not Madden."

Chris Lowe, Yoker, "So Celtic lost a game and as usual it’s the referee's fault. The same referee who let Calum McGregor away with three bookable offences in the first 40 minutes.

"Let’s talk about the linesman Alan Mulvanney who now has quite a plethora of decisions now all benefiting Celtic, the offside he missed was that bad and blatant Clancy would have been proud of it "

John McCaw, emailed: "Surely Madden must be punished for his display. Lundstram and Bassey, who wanted Tom Rogic's top so badly he kept hanging on to it. I am sorry to say this as I thought he was only one person of the two refs who were any good. Maybe he’s retiring and he wanted to help his pals out."

Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: "Credit where it is due, Rangers' match tactics went exactly to plan, high press and be physical. They knew from past experience Madden would be lenient. Celtic should’ve known this and fought fire with fire.

"It’s great to play out from the back but when it’s not working maybe change it. Too many Celtic players were not at the races but this doesn’t make them bad players. Ange Postecoglou will know he now needs a tough, strong enforcer in the middle of the park. Dare I say it a Scott Brown or a Neil Lennon."

Gary Stevenson. Newtonhill, said: "I had to laugh when reading about former Celtic great Paolo Di Canio's quote about Celtic's conquerors Bodo/Glimt. He said they were, "a bunch of salmon fishermen". His comments were meant to be a criticism of Jose Mourinho. I do hope that Celtic are not offended by his comments."

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst after the Scottish Cup win over Celtic (SNS Group)

Stephen Ward, Milngavie, said: "Who now for manager of the year? After the weekend games it’s not so clear cut. Ange with possible league and cup double. Gio will maybe win the Europa League and Scottish Cup double. Or Robbie Neilson with third place and a cup after coming from the championship. Keep the decision until all the games are done."

And finally a call about Hibs.

Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, said: "I can’t say I’m surprised at Maloney getting the sack, Jack Ross had more knowledge in his big toe than Maloney had as a whole. I always thought they’d regret sacking Jack Ross."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.