Grateful Rangers fans bombarded the Hotline to thank Record Sport for inspiring a glory night for their side in Europe.
The Ibrox side’s outstanding performance in Portugal on Wednesday night was the big talking point after Steven Gerrard ’s men dispatched Braga to reach the last 16 of the Europa League .
But rather than celebrate the win, the first thing on the fans’ to-do list is of course, phone the Hotline and have a pop at our reporters for getting their pre-match predictions wrong.
First up was Graham Campbell, Stirling, who said: “I’d just like to thank Keith Jackson, Gordon Parks and Ross Pilcher for their Rangers pep talk. They all predicted Rangers to get beat by Braga 2-0!“
Jimmy Strangers, Tranent, emailed: “After yesterday's score predictions from the Record Sport journalists for Rangers game against Braga, it will be nice to see Jackson, Parks and Pilcher eating humble pie.”
Barra Stevens, Edinburgh, said: “The majority of reporters yesterday predicted wrong. I strongly dislike the attitude of the reporters towards Rangers, yet they maintain high hopes for Celtic. Celtic will find it harder than expected to beat Copenhagen at home. I hope they do manage to get through, but it will be harder than they think.”
Jim Eadie, Maryhill, said: “I see the reporters were wrong yet again. All 5 of them said Rangers would get beat. They need to learn to keep their mouths closed if they’re going to start slagging. My team won.”
Thomas Hayes, Edinburgh, said: “I wish Keith Jackson and Gordon Parks would predict the score every week, that way Rangers would win every week! I’d also like to criticise the Gers fans for slagging Stevie G. For Gerrard being such a young manager, his record in Europe is exceptional.”
Brian Quinn, Paisley, emailed: “What a difference in our defence with Edmundson on, but the biggest difference was having Morelos out of the team. Kamberi is a better team player and must keep his place against Hearts. I would take £12m for Morelos in the summer and use £3m of it to buy Kamberi.”
Alan McGaw, Alloa, said: “The result was a total surprise, following a fantastic game. To think we did to Braga what they did to us last Thursday. It was an unbelievable result considering how poorly we have been playing in the Premier League.“
Following this, John Bruce emailed to say: “Following Rangers superb home and away defeat of Braga, is it a coincidence that when Rangers play in Europe there is a difference to how their games are played?
"Their European ties are more free-flowing, their players are subjected to fewer (unpunished) reckless challenges, the opposition tend not to play with ten men behind the ball and the games are generally more entertaining for the fans.
"All of this in what is regarded as high pressure European competition. Could this have anything to do with the standard of refereeing?”
However, our reporter's predictions were not the only thing troubling the fans from either side.
Chris McBride, Ayr, said: “Only a maniac would vote to have alcohol back inside Scottish stadiums. It would be a crazy idea. My wife and I had to move away from the crowds in Copenhagen because Scottish people simply don’t know to handle it.”
Finally, in regards to a comment made by Mal Carruthers in Wednesday's Hotline where he stated that Rangers will destroy Celtic at Ibrox showing potential to bag a 5-0 win, Bud Hay, Dumfries, said: “I’d like to remind Mal Carruthers that the league is finished.
"You’d have to be crazy to think Rangers have a chance of beating Celtic 5-0. Rangers have less chance of winning the Premiership than I’ve got at landing on the moon!”
