Rangers turned back the clock to reach the last eight of a European competition for the first time since 2008.
And Allan McGregor rolled back the years to ensure the Ibrox men got there after a backs-to-the-wall Belgrade masterclass.
The goalkeeper was at the top of his game to repel Red Star in the Europa League and callers were queuing up to sing his praises in a Hotline love-in. Or should that be glove-in.
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: “During my life I've seen many truly great goalies - Banks, Shilton, Zoff, Buffon and now the superb Allan McGregor. It was a goalkeeping masterclass and he surely is one of the world’s great goalies. The strength he has in those wrists to make near impossible saves, just amazing.”
And Alan McGaw, Alloa, said: “Well done Rangers getting through in a volatile atmosphere. Special praise must go to McGregor with the world class saves he’s made over the two games especially at 40. He’s proved age doesn’t matter these days.”
Even Celtic supporter Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs, applauded the Ibrox side’s achievement.
He said: “Congratulations to Rangers for withstanding the onslaught of Red Star who threw everything at Rangers but found McGregor virtually unbeatable.
"Our Scottish coefficient is on the up and up owing to the Ibrox side's European exploits. I wish them every success in Europe though I do not, as a Celtic supporter, extend my best wishes to them domestically.”
Namesake John Bruce emailed: “Red Star are a very good side with an excellent home record, so Rangers achievement of reaching the last eight should not be under-estimated. Having rebuilt their reputation in Europe over the last few seasons, Rangers' name is now reverberating around Europe. You could say they are big shots, not cannon fodder.”
Joe Graham, Garrowhill, said: “It wasn’t their best performance in Europe but McGregor’s heroics in the first half to keep a two-goal advantage for the second half was important. In the end Rangers didn’t deserve to lose. In fact they then looked like being the victors before losing the late goal. With the pool of quality players they have, they might just go on to win it.”
Meanwhile, Bill Duncan, Ellon, said: “I suspect that all Celtic fans will be pleased to see Rangers progress to the quarter finals of the Europa League since it means they still have more than the Premiership to concentrate on. I think it's fair to say that the cup game is a foregone conclusion.”
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, couldn’t resist poking fun when he said: “As a gesture of goodwill between the Old Firm I think that Celtic should lend Rangers their disco lights. This would suit both parties as we would test them out to see if they are still working.”
And Ian McKendrick emailed: “Well done Rangers, great result and getting the coefficient up single handedly for Scotland.”
It would be impossible to get through a Hotline without at least one mention of match officials.
Step forward John Stewart, Newton Mearns, who said: “Once again it was great to see foreign match officials refereeing a match impartially, free from intimidation and threats by a certain football club and it’s fans who thankfully were humiliated again and put out of Europe at a very early stage. It’s refreshing.”
Incredibly it wasn’t all praise for the Light Blues though.
Tam Williamson, Lanarkshire, said: “Credit to Rangers, they lost 2-1 but it could have been 8-1. Let's be honest Red Star are a very poor team especially when it comes to putting the ball in the net.
"If Cove Rangers had been playing Red Star they would probably have lost 2-1 also. The sitters missed over the two games by Red Star should ensure them a place in the Guinness Book of Records.”
