Then there were two. St Johnstone and Aberdeen fell by the wayside on another night of European woe for Scottish clubs, leaving only the Old Firm to fly the flag.
It was hardly convincing stuff either from the big two, with champions Rangers labouring past Alashkert and Celtic forced to cling on during a Dutch siege in Alkmaar.
But it was the lesser lights of the Premiership getting it in the neck from Alfie Mullin, London, who said: “It seems like bolstering Scottish football's European coefficient is left to Glasgow's big two again. The other teams should be ashamed of themselves. UEFA should stop giving places to the other Scottish teams. They just keep embarrassing us.”
Bluenose Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus , emailed: “As a Rangers fan I sigh with relief that we made it through the play-offs, we are playing like a shadow of the team last season. What is wrong with the same players? By the way, well done Celtic, two teams is better than one in the group stage.”
Jim McClean, Isle of Bute , had his say: “Gary McAllister is starting to spout as much rubbish as Steven Gerrard. Was it only 37 degrees in the half that Rangers played in? That was the worst team in Europe since Killie played Nandori Tirana decades ago. Alashkert weren’t even a good pub team yet Rangers struggled again. Rangers are not as good as they think they are."
David Duff wrote: “I’m a Celtic fan so well done to the Bhoys in green but I've got to say I think Callum Davidson's got a point about that referee for St Johnstone’s game against LASK — a German ref taking a European game involving an Austrian team? It would have been interesting to see the LASK reaction if it was an English ref taking charge in Perth.”
But David Bryce, Troon, wasn't impressed by Ange Postecoglou’s Hoops scraping past AZ Alkmaar after almost blowing a three-goal lead.
He said: “Congratulations to Celtic for getting through to the Europa League group stage but the performance was absolutely pitiful.
“Ralston and Montgomery were outstanding but Callum McGregor proved yet again that he is nowhere near good enough to captain our club!
“Turnbull looks like a superstar against domestic opposition but is miles short at this level. As for Carl Starfelt, what else can you say — he makes Shane Duffy look like Franco Baresi.”
Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, added: “That defeat last night was a wake-up call before Sunday’s Old Firm derby. However, I was impressed to see Joe Hart go on to have a fine game after his error at AZ’s first goal. Critics will say we have another Barkas between the sticks but even an experienced international like him will take time to settle into the biggest club he’s played for.”
Gers fan Samuel Ruddock, Ayr, said: “Well done to Celtic on reaching the group stage. Last year’s runners up knew they had to at least equal what the champions did. Failing to qualify would have put them further behind Scotland’s top team. Let’s hope, just like Rangers, they can enhance Scotlands coefficient by getting a few results in the group stage."
Paul McCormack, Coatbridge , emailed in to say: “What a result against AZ. Backs to the wall, shooting ourselves in the foot, injured player but absolutely digging in and getting a break or two. One thing is for sure, we would not have won this tie last season. What a turnaround in a few weeks.”
Jack Caw , via email, said: “Mack Sennett couldn’t have done it any better. Real slapstick stuff by Hart, Welsh and Starfelt. It was bad enough Joe Hart making a blunder, but the other two did their best Laurel and Hardy impression too. Never in over 70 years of watching football have I seen two worse guys pretending to be central defenders.”
Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs, is hoping both sides liven up ahead of Sunday’s derby.
He said: “The Rangers-Celtic clash should be a thrilling game with plenty of goals from both sides and at last it will be a competitive fixture.
"Let us hope it is a game remembered for its football rather than any other matters unrelated to the game.”
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, said: “It’s not even September yet and already the wheels are coming off the Aberdeen bandwagon of Glass and Brown. Out of the Premier Sports Cup, out of Europe and presumably finishing third in the league is as good as it gets. Roll on the Scottish Cup.”
Clydebank fan Stephen McLaren was in a brighter mood, though. He said: “Big day for Clydebank this Sunday when we will be in the draw for the first round of the Scottish Cup. A lot of hard work by the fans have helped us get here, so well done Bankies — only eight games from Europe! I’m sure Paul Jain will be looking at the draw from heaven.”
