QUOTE OF THE DAY
‘The game was pretty even on Thursday but Rangers missed a couple of key men – mainly Don Robertson and John Beaton’
RANGERS saw their Euro journey hit the buffers against Benfica on Thursday and Hotline callers were split on whether the result might derail their title bid too.
A 3-2 aggregate defeat to the Portuguese champions was no disgrace. But some fear it has shone a light on a lack of quality in key areas.
Starting with the positives and John Bruce emailed: “Valiant Rangers failed to overcome European giants Benfica but only by way of a penalty, an OG and a marginally offside goal.
“With a severely depleted squad, Philippe Clement has accomplished minor miracles. Once again the club has solely carried the burden of Scotland’s European co-efficient to the benefit of others. Now Clement can focus on his main target – the domestic Treble.”
Joe graham, garrowhill, said: “Rangers were so unlucky to go out of Europe. I still think the goal against them was offside but that is the controversial VAR situation and we have to accept it. But leaving the Europa League must now be a big advantage. Treble and league title has always been the priority so it is onward we go and achieve what we deserve.”
John Scott, grassmoor, said: “Sad though it is to see a Scottish team go out of Europe, the defeat did at least show exactly why the assistant referee does not raise his flag until the move is completed.
“The Benfica player was NOT offside but under the old rules he would have been flagged and denied a goal scoring opportunity.”
Jamie Thompson, yoker, said: “Rangers did well to reach last 16 but quality will always win. Roofe, Matondo and a few others have to go in summer.”
Rick Hart emailed: “Unless Rangers drop Dessers now they will have no chance of winning the title. He
runs around like a headless chicken. He should have scored twice against Benfica. Roofe is just as bad.
“Surely there’s a striker who can score goals in the academy? Not buying Lawrence Shankland will cost us the title.”
Henry Mccoy emailed: “Sorry to say my Rangers team desperately need a striker and a full-back that can head clear a ball. Yilmaz is too small, loses the ball and left us wide open down his wing.”
Meanwhile, eddie easson, Ballingry, said: “All we have heard from the usual suspects is about how great Rangers and Clement are. They’re going to Dublin to play Liverpool in the final. Also about how Jack Butland was getting called up for England. Well here’s a newsflash – you’ve in failed on both accounts.”
And wisecracker Benjamin clarke, Balornock, said: “The game was pretty even on Thursday night but Rangers missed a couple of key men – mainly Don Robertson and John Beaton.”
On to other matters and the SFA’s ticket split for the two Scottish Cup semi-finals has stirred controversy with Hearts handed an equal share for their Rangers tie but Aberdeen denied likewise against Celtic.
irwin Houston, giffnock, said: “I see the SFA are applying double standards to the allocation of semi final tickets. Rangers get 50,000 fans in Ibrox every other week and Hearts are lucky to get an average of 12,000 fans in their 18,000-capacity stadium. I find this a ridiculous decision and it shows there is an agenda against Rangers by the SFA.”
For the record, Hearts’ average attendance is around the 18,000 mark in their 18,580-capacity ground.
Scott gowers, edinburgh, said: “I can’t believe the favouritism by the SFA regarding ticket sales for the semi finals. Aberdeen notoriously have a consistently larger travelling support than Hearts.”