Celtic operate under grasp that Rangers are garbage as Mr Loudmouth sets Hotline on fire with red-hot Ibrox rumour

Rangers' issues with Ibrox remain a hot topic on the Hotline.

Philippe Clement’s men must play their opening home fixtures away from Govan due to delayed work at their stadium. Divided opinion has filled the air on the situation as Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: “Get ready for the fire sale at the Govan Scrapyard. Connor Goldson, James Tavernier and Jack Butland to start with. The season ticket money will be well spent fixing the stands.” But George Wilson, Sussex, countered: “It’s comical James Fitzpatrick is getting upset about the Ibrox issues. Any excuse to have a go at Rangers. It’s obviously a disappointment to lose full home advantage for a month, but a full house at Hampden or Murrayfield will do just fine.”

George McEwan, Paisley, stated: “Once again Neil Doncaster is an embarrassment to Scottish Football. He goes slithering to Rangers and chairman John Bennett. Obviously he has a short memory of how Rangers put the boot in on the cinch league agreement and put pressure on Dundee, People in glass houses.”

To matters on the park, Alan Flett emailed: “It doesn’t matter how many millions Celtic have got, it doesn’t matter what their transfer budget is! They will do their business on the cheap because that is what they do. Rangers have been garbage for the last 10 years, but we still won a league title and got to a European final. In that same period, Celtic haven’t done anything that wasn’t expected of them.”

Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: “After he returns from the Euros, if there’s no offers for Ianis Hagi, Clement should play him. He’s a quality player and good on the ball going okay in Germany. His injury was horrific, out a year, but with single mindedness, fought back to fitness. Hagi has made some contradictory views about his future, but the bottom line is to get the best players you have available into the side to win the title. Hagi more than fits that bill. Quality attacking midfielder and a class above the likes of Conor Barron.”

However, Cameron Hall, Edinburgh, said: “I won’t pretend to have watched any of Romania‘s games, but according to the official UEFA site, Hagi has so far played 116 minutes at the 2024 Euros, has scored no goals, contributed no assists, has a passing accuracy of 67 per cent and has had one shot. Which was off target.”

Talking of the Euros, Scotland's disappointment has not gone away. Henry McCoy said: “I think Steve Clarke has had his try at this team, with all his negativity and boring football. It’s time to bring in David Moyes or someone of that calibre who can get these boys playing in correct positions and attacking the game.”

Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, isn’t happy with the bigwigs as he said: “UEFA are being very incompetent trying to defend their officials in the Scotland Hungary match. My suspicion was that VAR wasn’t working and, if not, why not. And, if not, the match should have been abandoned and replayed. For UEFA to come up with an excuse that a John McGinn tug should have resulted in a penalty to Hungary just prior to Scotland’s genuine claim states that UEFA were as incompetent as the officials during the match.”

It was left to John Scott, Grassmoor, to encapsulate the mood of the Hotline. He said: “Dearie me, Scottish football is so predictable. Rangers slaughtered for Ibrox not being ready, yet countless stadiums have been rebuilt with fans still attending games in other parts of the ground. Another young Scottish player turned down the chance to experience a higher standard of league and experience a culture that would enrich his life, not just his pocket.

“Then there’s Hibs competing with Ross County and Livingston to find bargains in the middle aisle at Aldi or Lidl. Oh well there’s the League Cup group games to get us in the spirit for the new season. I blame Steve Clarke!”