The only things certain in this life are death, taxes and Old Firm fans squabbling on the Hotline .
Celtic fans are feeling perky after their team’s rapid improvements in recent weeks while the Rangers faithful are in defiant mood after seeing their side put a halt to their recent slump.
Kicking off today’s bicker-fest is Jimmy Thurso , who said: “I see Alfie Mullen from London is back on line after Rangers’ three defeats, still shouting about how bad Celtic are. Beware as Celtic will outclass Rangers at Ibrox later this month.”
Brian McColligan also couldn’t resist a dig at a fellow caller, saying: “Chris Lowe tells Celtic fans ‘wait to you play top six team in the league’. His mighty Rangers haven’t beaten a team from one of Europe’s top five leagues for nearly 14 years!”
And Frank Campbell emailed: “I see that the mouth of the south George Wilson and the Cockney rebel Alfie Mullen have crawled from beneath their paving slab to talk about their favourite subject - Celtic! When Celtic lost to their Champions League opponents, they had eleven men. Rangers couldn't get past TEN men of Malmo.”
Gordon Ashley, Ayr , has been impressed with Celtic defender Tony Ralston’s displays this term - and couldn’t help having a swipe at his counterpart at Ibrox.
He said: “Steve Clarke must pick Tony Ralston at his problem right-back berth as he is the best young right back in Scotland.
“He is just as good going forward as young Nathan Patterson but a better, more physical defender and he also has goals in him. He is proving himself in the first team where it matters.”
But Gers fan Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach was upset at seeing former Light Blues skipper Barry Ferguson dishing out praise to Parkhead boss Ange Postecoglu.
He said: “I couldn’t believe it Barry Ferguson praising Rangers’ greatest rivals, this surely will have Rangers greatest enemy Gordon Ashley salivating at the mouth for this unexpected bonus from Barry, manna from heaven for Hotline's biggest pest and know-it-all, he'll be calling right away.”
But Hoops fan Paul McCormack, Coatbridge , reckons Fergie is bang on with his claim that Celtic are playing some top stuff under their new Aussie boss.
He said: “‘Ange who?’ we said. ‘He's not a big enough name,’ we said, ‘He's never worked in Europe,’ we said. All of that means nowt, he’s got the team playing ‘bums off seats’ football and handles interviews brilliantly. Big Ange, the Thunder from Down Under…”
But Edward Fraser is concerned that Parkhead board are still not giving the new manager the tools he needs.
He emailed: “It seems once again Celtic moving at a snail’s pace is causing them to miss out on potential transfer targets for the first team which will probably mean us desperately trying to find players on the last day of the transfer window and buying another Ajeti or Laxalt. Just look how good they turned out.”
Kenny Goff is unhappy with Celtic’s recent decisions to deny away tickets to hearts and St Mirren. He said: “I hope all clubs do the same as Celtic and allow NO Celtic fans into away games, just as Celtic have done to them. At least then there would be no drunks or fans urinating everywhere and no political chanting. Oh what a great game we would have then.”
Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, said: “The Rangers demise is somewhat exaggerated. Charlie Nicholas doesn’t know his own mind, one minute he’s saying Rangers are going to walk the league next he’s saying they are a bad team.”
Meanwhile, William Hutchison, Aberdeen, reckons Manchester City have been shortchanged after splashing out £100million on England ace Jack Grealish.
He said: “As a Spurs fan we made £100m Jack Grealish look like a 100 pence player on Sunday. It just shows that spending millions of pounds on one player doesn't always mean that player will shine.”
