Ange Postecolglou is revving up to take over at Celtic as soon as he’s overseen Yokohama’s Emperor’s Cup clash with Honda FC on Wednesday evening.
The Aussie will have to step on the gas if he’s to make up for lost time ahead of the next Scottish Premiership title race.
But having watched their 10-in-a-row hopes spin spectacularly out of control last season, Hoops fans’ hopes of getting back on track under Postecoglou appear to have stalled on the Hotline.
David Bryce, Troon, said: “I wish Postecoglou all the very best, however he is the most underwhelming appointment in the history of the club including Ronny Deila. I believe he is destined to fail and I don’t blame him one iota, the blame lies squarely at the feet of the board who have become so lazy and complacent that we are now an irrelevance to Rangers.”
Joe Graham, Garrowhill, said: “The Celtic saga lingers on. They may be nearer by verbal agreements. How many verbals did they have from Howe? Even assuming Ange does come he has no chance and no time to sort out what he is walking into. With Osdonne Edouard and Kris Ajer almost certainly away he would have to start his quarantine now as pre-season training starts in 10 days’ time. Absolutely no chance this season. Good news for Steven Gerrard as title 56 is more or less in the bag before a ball is kicked.”
Gordon Ashley, Ayr, reckons Celtic should bite Leicester’s hand for their reported £18m move for Odsonne Edouard. He said: “Celtic should accept the £18m from Leicester. No matter the profit and sell on it is still £14.5m into our kitty and more than double what Rangers will get for Scotland’s fourth top scorer.”
Speaking of Hotline regular Gordon, his remarks yesterday calling for Steve Clarke to “ignore the noise from biased Rangers fans” and stick with Stephen O’Donnell over Nathan Patterson sparked a response.
Robert Lee, Inverbervie, said: “I see Gordon Ashley is on the Hotline again with his usual anti-Rangers paranoia. It would seem that now the pundits are biased against his club, along with everybody else. If Scotland were playing the Republic of Ireland, we all know who Celtic fans would support.”
Chris Lowe, Yoker, said: "If O’Donnell starts the Euros in front of Patterson then it will be for reasons other than football as the youngster is by far the better player.”
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, added: “For the first time since 1998 Scotland have qualified for a major finals. Instead of trying to shoehorn Gilmour and Patterson into the team by certain people we should be throwing our backing behind Steve Clarke. Let's back his judgement he got us there, he has backed his players and the players back him. The time for these two young players will come and that will be up to Clarke to decide.”
Steve Macleod, Wokingham , said: “I keep reading about how some Rangers fans may feel about Scotland and want to reassure my fellow Scots that the majority I know still want Scotland to do well. The icing on the cake would be to see our own Nathan Patterson score the winner at Wembley.”
A few callers were less than impressed with Sunday’s final warm-up game, the 1-0 win over Luxembourg.
Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: “Scotland are firing more blanks than the one o'clock gun at Edinburgh Castle. Keep this up they will get bounced by the Czechs as this was a poor performance by any ones standards.”
And Alan Grier emailed: “Surely Steve Clarke has seen enough of Grant Hanley not to persevere with him. He’s far too slow and clumsy. Not good enough.”
Back to domestic matters and Kyle Lafferty was in the firing line after Kilmarnock revealed the striker’s request to quadruple his wages at the relegated club. Lewis Doyle, Tipperary, said: “Lafferty should hang his head in shame, although I don't even think he knows the meaning of the word. He is a spent force and can never hold a place in any team. He should go to Northern Ireland and play there am sure he will be a smash hit.”
Brassed-off Dundee United fan Ronnie Swan, Lochee, is predicting an Arab uprising over the appointment of youth chief Tam Courts as manager.
He said: “I will say one thing regarding Courts, the boy must have thick skin taking this poisoned chalice of a job after some of the abuse he has had this week. I might add, however, after watching this lot for 50 years this to me is the last straw and this is now a complete basket case of a club. I won’t be back till Ashgar’s gone. The Arabs are revolting.”
