It's a fickle business being a football fan as Steven Gerrard ’s hasty exit from Rangers has once again proved.
From God-like status one week to Judas the next - as one Hotline caller claimed.
The fallout from Gerrard’s move to Aston Villa is likely to rumble on for a while, and it could yet get worse if he returns for some of the stars who helped lift the title in May.
That’s Barry Ferguson’s biggest worry just now as he revealed in his Record Sport column.
But Stephen Ward emailed: “ Barry Ferguson is in cloud cuckoo land if he thinks Gerrard will be on a raid in Govan come January. Villa will have millions to spend so there's no way they will sign pretty average players when they can spend £30m plus on players all over Europe. Rangers players will be at Ibrox for a while.”
Now for the fallout. Brace yourselves.
Colin Hall, Carrickfergus, was left eating his words as he delivered a withering take on the situation two days after insisting Gerrard would stay loyal. He said: “After hearing Gerrard actually walked out on us at this point in the season, I eat my words. I honestly thought he had more about him as a man.
"Steven Gerrard has shown himself to be a Judas, tempted by the money pushed in front of him and not a thought for Rangers, Ibrox or the multitude of fans who adored him.”
Andy Adams, Kirkcaldy, claimed: “Call me Mr Cynical, but this whole deal stinks and looks to me like it was done and dusted long before this. The timing of Dean Smith’s sacking, the international break and the speed this was concluded tells me this was a done deal weeks ago. Anyway, no matter, he's gone, thanks and goodbye, now let's move onto the next guy.”
Paddy Gowans emailed: “Gerrard was always going to leave the minute the Premier League came calling - same as Brendan Rodgers. When are Old Firm supporters going to get it in their heads? They’re in a Mickey Mouse league.”
John Bruce was more sympathetic, he emailed: “Steven Gerrard has left Rangers in a much better place, both on and off the park. The club has been rejuvenated; we have saleable players; we are progressing on all fronts, he did 55 and stopped 10 In A Row - something that will always hurt every Celtic fan.
"Gerrard has left Rangers in a healthy position and the compensation payments could bring some money for a new player or two in January to drive us towards 56.”
But Gordon Ashley, Ayr, argued: “People saying all Gerrard had to do is stop the 10 are talking garbage. If Rangers fans had been offered stop the 10 but not the double nine and no other trophies in three years they would not have accepted it. He’s over-rated.”
Dr Robert Pender has a pragmatic view on the matter. He said: “Thank you Stevie and team for all your input, thank you to the board who had the vision to appoint his team. Now carry on with your vision and keep Rangers out in front. Thank you Celtic for the competition as this keeps Scottish football interesting.”
Rangers can’t hang around with a semi final just over a week away followed hard by key games in Europe and the league.
Who should take over? Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, said: “If I had had a choice it would’ve been Gary McAllister but seeing that’s not possible, I would go for Giovanni van Bronckhorst, he did well with Feyenoord on a shoestring budget and wants the job.”
But Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: “Callum Davidson has a better record than Gerrard and on a pittance of a budget. He should be a contender to be Rangers' next manager. Arise, Saint Callum.”
