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Daily Record
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Sports Hotline

Gordon Ashley causes Rangers fury as Celtic fanatic needles again to spark uncivil war - Hotline

The margin was fine but the debate has been huge around Celtic’s winner against Aberdeen.

And the Hotline was once again dominated by Jota’s goal at Pittodrie with some arguing Liel Abada was in an offside position.

Abada appeared to block David Bates and prevent him from making a challenge on the Portuguese ace.

Former referees, pundits and punters have all had their say in the days since and it’s still rumbling on.

Jon White emailed: “It’s funny to see all the Rangers fans getting upset because Celtic beat Aberdeen. Blaming the referee again.

“The same officials that go out of their way in most of Rangers games to provide an honest mistake of either a penalty kick or red card to an opposition player.

“The supporters and the club are panicking that they won't win the league and the Champions League money it brings as it’s essential to keep the club afloat.

“There's also only one team that can do the Treble this season and it's not their team.”

Scott Gowers, Edinburgh , said: “The Hotline is an opinion based column but people should know more about the rules of what they are commenting on.

“For example Tam Williamson, Lanarkshire, thinks that VAR would vindicate one of Celtic’s goals but unfortunately for Tam interfering with play from an offside position is offside under the rules.

“VAR would not vindicate this in the slightest. Celtic supporters are forgetting about Kyogo falling over without contact to earn penalties this season when they comment on the Rangers penalty v Hibs.

“At least Kent went down as a result of clear contact from behind and there’s no VAR system in the world that would not vindicate the penalty.”

Jimmy Mac, Glasgow, emailed: “Both Steve Conroy and Des Roache said that Celtic's third goal against Aberdeen should have been disallowed and that one bad decision does not win leagues.

“As it stands Celtic are leading the league by one point but should be two points behind Rangers.

“It would appear Willie Collum and others lose their bottle when officiating Celtic games.

“That proves that VAR is needed now and there are no excuses.”

John Brooks emailed: “I love how they scream for officials to make a call against Celtic when they admit themselves there was only a millimetre in it, if at all.

“Yet when a Hibs player is rugby tackled at Ibrox right in front of the referee or Jota's denied a perfectly good goal there's absolute silence.”

(SNS Group)

Sean Beech, Hampshire, said: “I can only assume that Rangers fans have only one record in the collection ‘the one that complains about everything and points the finger of blame at everyone else bar their own team’. “Of course none of the nine penalties given to Rangers are dubious, Aberdeen only raise their game against them and how dare a Raith player score an equaliser.

“The fact is the goal against Aberdeen stood and former refs agree it should have. Clutching at straws to hide your own inadequate performances.”

Gordon Ashley has ruffled feathers again with his claim that Rangers are scared of their rivals and league leaders.

Alfie Mullin, London, said: “What a lot of nonsense Gordon Ashley comes out with. He said Rangers fans are scared. I don't know any who are.

“There is no chance that Rangers or their fans are scared of Celtic. The only way Celtic will become champions is if the officials hand them the title. We all know that Celtic don't get titles on their own merits.”

Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “So the Rangers Supporters are terrified. Really? I have supported Rangers since 1965 and never once in that time have I felt scared of a challenge and this year is no different.

“As champions it is great to see who can provide a challenge without having to focus on any conspiracy theories. I simply enjoy the football.”

Stuart McLeod emailed : “Gordon Ashley is comedy gold. He believes the Rangers fans are paranoid after witnessing his club call in to question the integrity of just about every establishment outside of their club at their AGM.

“Referees have been petrified to give a call against his club ever since the toys came out the pram.

“The league even backed down to move the break to allow them to garner some reinforcements. That is real fear.”

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