MONDAY JURY
Our top writers give their verdicts on the burning issues as we gear up for another big week in Scottish football
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Should the SFA move Saturday’s Scottish Cup ties due to clash with Prince Philip’s funeral or is that adding pressure to an already congested fixture list?
IDEALLY it would make sense to move all the matches, especially with no fans in attendance. But Premier Sports might not agree. They’ve stumped up for the crown jewels and if they want the Old Firm to go ahead as scheduled then what’s the point in moving the other ties around?
WITH the title in the bag and home advantage on their side it’s difficult to see past a Rangers win. They’ve been the best team in the country by a mile this season and almost untouchable at their own ground.
HE’S standing up for his players which is straight from the manager’s textbook. Trouble is, these same players have been guilty of letting their standards drop since the start of the season. The league table does not lie and right now it’s telling quite a story.
YES. The Hearts fans won’t want to hear it but the truth is Neilson is fronting up a club which has been spectacularly mismanaged for years. He’s the right man in the right place at the wrong time but he needs patience from the punters in order to turn it around.
GET the game on. It’s embarrassing it’s even up for discussion.
THE pressure is weirdly on Rangers as Celtic have already written this season off. The Hoops have had the better of the last two clashes and come away with little, this might be the time they get one over their rivals from across the city.
IT’S his opinion and he’s entitled to it. The league table doesn’t lie and Rangers have been the best in the land this season but he is right to talk up his own squad before the rivals square up again.
HEARTS fans should give this season the Men in Black memoryerasing pen routine for this season. They went down and got back up with minimum fuss. Forget it ever happened and let Neilson have a crack at getting the Jambos in to Europe next season.
OUR friends south of the border have moved games and other sports have followed suit which might make it awkward. But it would create far too many problems not least for the broadcasters so I say we stick with the kick-off times as they are.
There’s little doubt about the standout tie of the last 16. But who do you think will progress from Rangers v Celtic whenever it goes ahead?
THIS is gearing up to be a cracker. Celtic will be praying James Forrest is fit as he’s already proved his importance to the side. But Rangers have proved time and again they can get the job done and I fancy them to shade it again.
John Kennedy claims ahead of the derby that Celtic are still the best team in the country on their day. Foolhardy comment or has he got a point?
THEY simply haven’t been on their day often enough this season and it’s cost them dear. Rangers have scooshed the title because they’ve produced week in week out. Fair play to Kennedy for talking up his side but even a win this weekend won’t cover up their failings this season.
Hearts have clinched the Championship but fans’ groups still want Robbie Neilson sacked. Does he deserve to be in place for their top-flight return?
OF course he does. No matter what you say he has delivered all that matters in terms of a top-flight return. The Scottish Cup exit was an embarrassment but next season is the time to judge and I reckon Neilson will have the Jambos in the top six.