Rangers slaughtered as Hotline goes in two footed on baffling Clement errors as utter panic takes hold

Two days have passed since Celtic put nine fingers on the Premiership trophy with a 2-1 Old Firm win - but the dust has yet to settle on another explosive derby. Rangers fans are still flooding the Hotline and nobody is safe from the ire - not Philippe Clement or his players, not the board and certainly not referee Willie Collum.

John Bruce emailed: “Rangers fans are sick of the platitudes from players and the manager about 'showing character and belief' when coming from behind in Old Firm games. How about learning from the same old mistakes and not going behind? Like not using players who have been woeful in previous Old Firm games, or giving Celtic the freedom of Parkhead or Ibrox? Will we see the same nerve-shredding or calamitous opening minutes at Hampden?”

Willie Mercer, Dumfries, said: “Clement has only himself to blame as he got his starting selection wrong and his substitutions were baffling to say the least. An uninterested, out of contract left back picked before a guy on a four-year contract. A player with no legs - Tom Lawrence - in an area of the park which everyone knows will be high tempo. Wasting the effectiveness of Dujon Sterling by playing him wide right. Fabio Silva arguably one of our best players on the pitch, substituted and replaced by a player that it is obvious to everyone has no future at the club, while Todd Cantwell warms the bench. Baffling.”

Jamie Thompson, Yoker, said: “The standard of players at Ibrox is poor, our style of football, tactics, leadership is really concerning. This has to be change or the owner should consider selling to an individual that has finances to change and give Rangers fans what a team that can bring winning back to Ibrox.”

But Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, argued: “Only in Scotland could you find the usual suspects already questioning Clement’s position. The guy has done very well considering he was hamstrung by the disastrous Beale appointment. If Clement wins the Scottish Cup, than that's two cups, and only six points away from winning the league. Folk need to get real.”

Alan Flett emailed: “It’s the same old story for Rangers. A bang average Celtic team were there for the taking but once again we didn’t show up. Even with 10 men in the second half, we could have got something had we shown more intent because Celtic were awful.”

Bang on cue Alan then became the subject for Celtic callers.

John Stuart, Blantyre, said: “According to Alan Flett in Saturday’s Hotline Callum McGregor is the most over rated player he has ever seen. He must close his eyes then every time he enters Ibrox. Captain Callum is a serial winner. As for the Rangers... there are clearly issues with this current squad. After scoring his own goal, Lundstram immediately spins round and points to the right back position looking to blame the captain James Tavernier.”

Andy Logan emailed: “After another MOM performance from Callum McGregor, were you watching Mr Flett? Big Phil said gap could be zero but it’s six, that is one less than when Michael Beale was sacked. Is the same fate waiting if it grows further?”

Celtic fan Gerard Milligan, Renfrewshire, said: “Brendan Rodgers felt guilty about leaving before completing 10 in a Row so he will fulfill his three-year brief by overtaking Rangers’ fabled 55, especially as Rangers will now have a season of transition and will struggle with a rebuilt squad.”

Kenny Wilson, Moffat, added: “Another title all but in the bag after another win against Rangers, that’s now 10 out of 12 points against them this season and apparently they’re better than us! Something I’ve not said very often this season about Scottish refs - Willie Column had an excellent game getting all the big decisions spot on although I expect all the usuals are using that as an excuse.”

Well Kenny, you were right there. George McLeish emailed: “How long a contract did Willie Collum sign for Celtic? How did McGregor stay on the pitch after persistent fouling? O’Riley should get an oscar for that theatrical dive. Saying all that this Rangers team is gutless and the full backs cost more goals than any other team in the league, the manager has a lot to answer for not signing Shankland.”

Chris Lowe, Yoker, said: “Yet another masterclass from Collum , soiled the bed to send off McGregor for a second booking , gave an unbelievable penalty despite getting a second look at it , the only thing he got right was the red card.”

Finally, Hibs fan Neil Renton, Leith, kept it topical when he said: “Hibs are in absolute freefall making poor teams such as Aberdeen look like world beaters. For a club with our budget we should be in the top half of the league. The only chance we’ve got of competing in the continent over the new few years is if we enter Eurovision.”