Temperatures are set to plummet this week but the title heat has been turned right up on Rangers following their flop against Hearts.
Steven Gerrard ripped into his players following the 2-1 defeat to the Scottish Premiership bottom side to leave them trailing Celtic by five points.
The Light Blues still have a game in hand and kick off a run of three home games on the spin with the visit of Ross County to Ibrox on Wednesday.
But some callers believe the manner of the loss in Gorgie is proof Rangers don’t have the stomach for a title fight. Eddie Easson, Ballingry , said: “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.
“Titles aren’t won in January but this is when statements of intent are made. Rangers failed their test at the weekend and it looks ominous for Steven Gerrard.
Lewis Doyle, Limerick, said: “Steven Gerrard just might regret that moment when he roared like a lion in the camera after the win over Celtic.”
Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, said: “I’ll be surprised if Rangers win the league. They must win these games to be contenders. Hopefully I’m wrong, but Celtic won’t drop many points.”
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, said: “Rangers have looked ordinary without James Tavernier and Alfredo Morelos and there must be doubts about their ability to win the title.”
Bradley Hay, Dumfries, said: “ Celtic can only lose nine-in-a-row and Rangers better pray they don’t slip up.”
Jim Eadie, Maryhill, said: “Rangers were terrible at Tynecastle and looked as if they didn’t know each other. They didn’t show any guts.”
Dunky Robertson, London, said: “Last week Steven Gerrard said he had enough depth and quality but now he’s saying he needs up to eight players.
“It’s just going back to the days of Graeme Souness and Walter Smith where they try to buy their way out of trouble and look where that got them.”
Sandy Stewart, Kilwinning, said: “Steven Gerrard has to shoulder some of the blame because Jon Flanagan, Glen Kamara and Connor Goldson shouldn’t be playing for Rangers.
“And then when he takes Kamara off he puts on Sheyi Ojo which was a downgrade.”
Steve McSherry, Uddingston, said: “How much proof do Rangers fans need before they realise that without Alfredo Morelos - the poor man’s Odsonne Edouard - they are a bang average side.”
It was a dream debut for new Jambos hitman Liam Boyce who scored the winner and Pat Thompson, Parkhead, said: “Who would have thought Only Fools & Horses would have been in the headlines in Scottish football.
“First of all we had Uncle Albert annoying Leigh Griffiths at Rugby Park and now Boycie scoring the winner for Hearts.”
Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: “Why are Hearts not in the top six instead of at the bottom of the table because that was a cup final performance?”
Celtic fans’ joy was tempered by their own performance in their win over Ross County. Joseph McGonnell, Springburn, said: “The performance of the two Celtic full backs against Ross County was the worst in a long time and the same goes for Jozo Simunovic.”
John Orr, Greenock, said: “Celtic’s performance against Ross County was one of the worst I’ve witnessed.
“Neil Lennon is juggling the team to accommodate James Forrest. We could easily have been 3-0 down.
“We’re coming into a hard run of games and I don’t understand why he didn’t give Patryk Klimala and Greg Taylor a run out.”
Stevie Delaney, St Andrews, said: “If Celtic want to stay in the driving seat then Neil Lennon has to drop the old pals’ act with Jonny Hayes and give Greg Taylor the left back role.
“He doesn’t need to cover for James Forrest either as Jeremie Frimpong is a better winger than right back.”
Michael Sheerin, Liverpool, said: “I’m still concerned about Celtic’s defence and I wouldn’t give Jozo Simunovic another contract because he’s too injury-prone.
“Celtic’s defence was all over the place against Ross County and we would have lost against better opposition if it wasn’t for Odsonne Edouard.”
