Rangers and Celtic are pulling away at the top of the Premiership.
And whether it was a 90-minute domination or a 97th-minute winner both kept their title charge on course with another three points on Wednesday night.
The momentum is building nicely towards the New Year Old Firm with three games over the festive period to go. And Hotline punters are beginning to sharpen their claws.
George Wilson, West Sussex, said: "How frustrating it must be for the Celtic camp? A few weeks ago Gerrard left and took the entire backroom team with him.
"Then we played abysmally in the semi-final. Celtic supporters were rejoicing. Now we have a new and better manager and players like Goldson, Aribo, Morelos and Kent are playing out of their skins.
"Rangers are totally dominating games and an 'ailing defence' has now only lost two goals in seven games. Celtic are scraping through on single goal victories as they obviously don’t have the overall squad to compete with Rangers.”
But Alan Stirling, Glasgow, said: “ Rangers fans ridicule the present Celtic squad. With the biggest overhaul in the club’s history, we had no right to challenge, but big Ange is doing just that. With a bare squad, this overhaul has them absolutely petrified. Roll on January 2 so Angeball puts them in their place.”
Celtic’s 97th minute winner at Ross County continues to cause a stir – with Staggies boss Malky Mackay claiming it seemed like the game wouldn’t end until the Hoops scored.
Tommy Turner emailed: “Karma is the only word to describe Ralston's late winner in the time added on for having to deal with the injuries caused by County players kicking, tripping, elbowing their way through the game as well as their time wasting antics. It didn't matter whether it was seven, 17 or 27 minutes, it was deserved.”
However Chris Lowe, Yoker, argued: “That’s three games in a row now the opposition manager has complained about the referee in Celtic’s games – an eight point swing all in their favour. Whether it’s 97th minute injury time goals, stonewall penalties denied and offside goals allowed to stand, its referees who are keeping Celtic in the title race. Their orchestrated intimidation tactics are clearly working.”
That late winner sparked a pitch invasion of Hoops fans, something that could land County in hot water, although it’s understood the SPFL have little appetite for it as it stands.
Thomas Black emailed: “While fans should not enter the park it was exuberance that got to about 100 fans at a corner of the ground – not 3000 as Mackay said – and they had very few stewards.”
On to Rangers and James Kennedy took issue with pundit Ricky Foster’s comments about his old club Rangers dominating another of his former clubs St Johnstone.
He emailed: “Foster states that the Rangers vs St Johnstone game was ‘the most one sided game he has ever seen’.
"Really Ricky? It was only 2-0, so Rangers beating teams by four, five and six are not one sided? Saints paid your wages long enough Ricky but no praise for them, seems you are more impressed with your old team Rangers. Old habits die hard eh?”
Stuart Pearson emailed: “Hotline regular Gordon Ashley’s latest post about Rangers beating a top four league team in Europe to equal Celtic's achievements had me crying with laughter, surely it's about qualifying from the group that's important.
"Just remember Sparta Prague stuffed Celtic 8-2 on aggregate last season, mate! Do some research before making an idiot of yourself.”
And Robert Hoey, Kirkintilloch, added: “The knowledgable Mr Ashley attacking Rangers’ ability to beat top European sides should take a close look at his own team’s recent European record and their inability to beat us recently rather than question Rangers’ outstanding recent campaigns.”
