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Childish John Hartson has huge Rangers chip on his shoulders and is a poor man’s Chris Sutton – Hotline

There's two massive European fixtures on the horizon for Rangers and Celtic but punters were more interested in point scoring on the Hotline .

Claims Celtic are in a third-rate competition in the Europa Conference League have brought a fiery response from those of a green and white persuasion before the Hoops tackle Bodo/Glimt.

Rangers are preparing to face Borussia Dortmund in Germany in the Europa League and John Bruce emailed: “Should we laud Celtic's claims that they could win the Europa Commiserations League, or laugh at them – especially when you see that they are 25/1 to do so?

"When you look at the favourites like Leicester, Roma, Marseille, Rennes, PSV and Feyenoord those claims look more than a bit fanciful.

"There are plenty of other teams like Copenhagen, Sparta and Slavia Prague that are all capable of ending Celtic's third Euro attempt. And let's not forget Bodo/Glimt. Two seasons ago, Celtic fans sang prematurely about winning 10-in-a-row. How did that one work out for them again?”

But Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “Rangers fans can mock Celtic all they want for being in the Conference League, it’s where they deserve to be.

"But can I just remind them they had a far easier group than us and Celtic went out with more points than they qualified with. I look forward to listening to what they say when Dortmund put four past them.”

George Wilson, West Sussex, said: “In response to my comments about the Conference League Vincent McGee said Rangers are skint. Where does he get his information from? Probably from Rangers insider knowledge and financial expert Gordon Ashley. Wishful thinking from a Celtic support who preferred it when they had no opposition other than the mighty Aberdeen.”

Sticking with the Old Firm and Rangers MD Stewart Robertson has confirmed away fans will return for the last two derbies of the season.

But former Celtic striker John Hartson sparked anger with his claim Rangers were to blame for the visiting fans’ lockout because they acted first.

Andy Adams, Kirkcaldy, said: “Hartson has a huge chip on his shoulder as far as Rangers are concerned, how childish can you be? ‘It's Rangers fault, nowt to do with us’. He comes up here and plays for five minutes and thinks he's a legend. He’s a poor man's Sutton.”

Hotline regular John Bruce got it in the neck for asking how many other clubs could have fought back from the bottom division to champions and facing Dortmund in the Europa League in 10 years.

Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said: “For once I agree with John Bruce. For Rangers to rise all the way to the top division in Scotland and only take two attempts to get out of the Championship despite only having the second best budget in Scotland is phenomenal.

Fashion Sakala celebrates (PA)

"And to collect an astonishing haul of one trophies in 10 years along the way is mind blowing.”

Graham Roberts had claimed Aberdeen are in freefall because they only try against Rangers.

But Brian Mitchell, Glasgow, hit back: “Graham obviously doesn’t watch Celtic games but maybe he should have watched their recent match against the Dons, what a stupid comment to make, Aberdeen are fighting hard against all teams, they should have beaten Rangers who were poor, maybe blame your own team’s performance.”

Finally and controversy at the Winter Olympics where 15-year-old Russian figure skater, Kamila Valieva, has been allowed to continue competing despite failing a drugs test.

Sean Beech, Hampshire, said: “So yet again the Russians have been proven to still be cheating their way to Olympic medals.

"However as appalling as that is the IOC committee’s decision to allow the individual concerned to still compete is staggering.

"It was bad enough that athletes only had to serve bans but now they have opened the door for every other athlete that has taken drugs to question why they were banned or stripped of medals.

"RIP integrity. RIP the Olympic ideal.”

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