The latest salvo in the Old Firm ticket war has been fired after it emerged Rangers fans are set to be locked out of January’s Parkhead crunch.
It comes after the Celtic faithful were barred from seeing their side at Ibrox back in September amid a row over Covid red zones.
But the Hotline callers just hope a peace deal can be struck before hostilities resume on the pitch.
Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, said: “Both clubs should dry their eyes and just let the fans see the games. If this carries on, both clubs should be called Onion Eyes United. It’s just childish nonsense.”
Celtic fan William Hutchison, Aberdeen, added: “I’m going to get lots of abuse with this comment but here goes: If we don't allow Rangers fans in for the January game they are going to do the same at the next derby at Ibrox. It's going to go round in circles with no winner."
Jimmy Mac, Glasgow , said: “It won't matter a jot Celtic are refusing Rangers any tickets for the Parkhead game as Celtic won't win it. Celtic were always given the two full family sections directly behind the goals at Ibrox while Celtic stuck Rangers fans away in a corner with stanchions obscuring the fans’ view. Give Rangers fans the sections behind the goals at Parkhead and dialogue might begin for next season.”
But Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, is happy for the ticket stand-off to continue, saying: “The way it is with no away fans at Celtic Park and Ibrox is fine. The derby has maybe lost a bit of the atmosphere, but it’s a safer environment when going to Parkhead.”
Fashion Sakala is the man of the moment at Ibrox after his weekend hat-trick against Motherwell.
But Kevin Kean, Inchinnan, isn’t impressed.
He said: “Rangers fans and Steven Gerrard think their crisis is over Sakala has only ever scored against Motherwell – he won't score again this year!”
Gerry Milligan, Erskine, said: “Amazing how Rangers fans after one spectacular result think ‘that's the corner turned, crisis over’! Perhaps it’s best to make that assessment over the next four or five games rather than one 90 minutes.”
Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, added: “Rangers top the league by four points yet they are often accused of being bottlers. The fact that Rangers have gone behind in their last three league games and got seven points suggests to me that the team are battlers not bottlers. What I don't understand is why other teams aren't being accused of being bottlers when Rangers lead the way?”
Celtic fans are still smarting at their side passing up the chance to put the pressure on the league leaders with Saturday’s Livingston stalemate.
Robbie Devlin emailed in to say: “The criticism of the manager and players is a bit over the top. Yes we kept Kyogo Furuhashi on the bench a bit too long but Livingston had 11 men in their own half for nearly the whole game. We did that to Barcelona a few years back and the players were heroes, so even good teams can’t break down teams who sit in for 90 minutes. It’s always going to be like this for the Old Firm at home. A bit of reality is required here - do the fans think we are going to win every game?"
Seamie Gallagher, Glasgow, said: “I'd prefer to concentrate on the positives at Celtic just now despite Saturday’s result. To even have the chance to go top so soon, even if it would only have been for 24 hours, is amazing. We were written off before a ball was kicked so we are making progress. No way will we finish 25 points behind this time."
But Steve McSherry, Uddingston, said: “If every club turned up at Celtic Park or Ibrox and played the way Livingston played the Scottish game would die. They clearly came for a draw at the expense of putting in a good performance and although they got what they wanted, it was not deserved.”
Alfie Mullin, London, said: “Stephen Johnstone said Celtic are clueless without Scott Brown. Well how does that explain last season then? They were clueless with him in the team too!”
