Celtic face a Premier Sports Cup Final against Hibs on Sunday.
But it’s the late success of Ange Postecoglou ’s 10-man team over Ross County in Dingwall that dominates today’s Hotline.
Celtic were short of strikers and had Carl Starfelt red-carded, but fought to gain success through Anthony Ralston’s header in the seventh minute of stoppage time added by referee Alan Muir.
Ciaran Mallon, Belfast, said: “Full backs playing as wingers, wingers playing through the middle, down to 10 men, a big penalty shout turned down, deep into injury time and still we find a way to win. Well done Celtic, great attitude, great win. In Ange we trust.”
However, not everyone saw it in a good light. Neil Renton, Edinburgh, said: “Another Celtic game, another late winner.
“You can’t help but feel that refs like to keep playing until either of the Old Firm win. Being a Hibs fan I can’t wait for Celtic to score the winner in the Cup Final on Sunday 18 minutes into the two minutes of stoppage time.”
David Wallace, Neilston, said: “Do they just play on until Celtic score in matches now? Seven minutes extra. If it was the other way round it would have been four minutes.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Old Firm game is cancelled because of Covid so Celtic can get new signings in and players back from injury. You would think they are the only team that gets injuries.”
But Paul McCormack, Coatbridge, hit back: “A player sitting on the ground with a burst nose or mouth after an elbow in the face, play goes on until ball goes dead.
“Then ref comes over to the bloodied player and books him. Play then restarts with a corner and injured/booked player on the sidelines. And you wonder why refs get a hard time.”
Gordon Ashley’s Rangers jibes about drawing Borussia Dortmund brought reaction with Jimmy Strangers, Tranent, saying: “Rent a gub, it’s about time you bleated about your own club Celtic’s progress rather than Rangers.
“You mention the cannon fodder Rangers have met well. That same type of cannon fodder has always put your beloved Bhoys to shame time and time again. Your red faced team are handed a parachute into the very lowest of UEFA competitions and will go out of that at their first hurdle.”
George Wilson, Sussex, added: “Celtic are now going to beat their own record for being knocked out of the most European competitions in one season.
“Ashley is obviously terrified and having sleepless nights worrying that Rangers might actually beat Borussia Dortmund. We probably won’t, but at least we are still at the party.”
Hibs are on the brink of appointing Shaun Maloney. It appears a good move, but John Scott, Grassmoor, isn’t seeing it in a positive light.
He said: “Will Hibs never learn? I admire their ambition of going after an assistant coach to the world’s best football team.
“However this is yet another appointment that offers the club no stability whatsoever. If Maloney fails, then he’s gone within two seasons.
"If he’s successful, he’ll be off within two seasons and we can all write the headlines of where in Scotland that will be. Our club is stuck treading water.
“We can’t yet afford to keep our top players, but we have to push the boat out and hire a manager nearing retirement with no ambition to move on the minute he’s in the door at Easter Road. They are out there.”
Kenny Goff emailed his annoyance at Dundee’s United Christmas party.
He said: “I heard United went to Newcastle. They should have gone to Ferry Beach after that shocking display on Saturday. If they played all weekend, they wouldn’t have scored.”
