Old Firm fever is gripping the Hotline as the temperature rises ahead of tomorrow’s massive Premiership title showdown.
Celtic can probably start planning the end-ofseason party if they come out on top. Rangers have to light the blue touch paper with a win or their hopes will likely go up in smoke. The heat is on the challengers after failing to take advantage of their rivals’ slip-ups and their own games in hand.
And Philippe Clement has been urged to stay in the shade in the wake of his recent “disrespect” accusations towards Brendan Rodgers.
Tam Williamson, lanarkshire, said: “No matter the outcome in Paradise on Saturday the weather forecast is ‘sunny and hot’ so Big Phil should put his hood up to protect himself from sunstroke.
“After his confused mutterings about Rodgers it is obvious that he is showing all the early symptoms of the condition. In fact it would be safer to stay out of the sun Phil and watch the game from behind your settee at home as Wee Barry will be doing likewise!”
Scott Mcadam, Partick, emailed: “Clement looks like a man feeling the pressure. What’s he going to be like when Celtic win on Saturday? Other Rangers managers have not beaten Celtic in last few seasons so I don’t see the difference with him. Another defeat should be pushing him to the trap door.”
However, Rodgers’ confidence is a sign of his hidden fear ahead of the big one, according to Hotline
regular Dr Robert Pender.
He said: “All this talking up his team shows signs of insecurity and panic. A little foot and mouth disease. Every time he opens his mouth he puts his foot in it.’’
The fans are apparently getting ahead of themselves. Mark Smith, cumbernauld,
“Judging by recent Hotline comments, it seems Celtic fans must be thinking we are amidst another bout of Covid – since they seem to have won the league once again whilst it is still mathematically possible for them to lose it!”
Liam Scales has caused some confusion after revealing the games that made him realise he’d made it at Celtic. gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “So Celtic defender Liam Scales says he knew he had made it when he saw Antoine Griezmann running at him? Can I just remind him that the score in that particular game was Atletico Madrid 6 Celtic 0. Congratulations Liam, you surely have made it.”
Falkirk completed an unbeaten season last weekend to emulate the 2016/17 Celtic crop. But some have strict criteria of what constitutes “Invincibles” and Derek Morris, Stirling, is one of them. He said: “All this talk about what teams get to call themselves invincible, when you can go through a season winning every league game, lost none, drawn none, then you can call yourself invincible, as Rangers have.”
Finally, it’s the end of an era at Hibs with Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson heading for the exit. But it’s not just the long-time servants who shouldn’t have been allowed to leave Easter Road. John Scott, grassmoor, emailed: “Tam McManus made a sound suggestion in bringing Alex Gogic back to Hibs. It’s criminal he was allowed to leave in the first place.
“Even Marvin Bartley at 37, wearing a pair of his granny’s slippers could still do a job in that Hibs team. He too was allowed to leave. Then there’s Kevin Dabrowski and Ross Laidlaw when we’re screaming for keepers. Not Hibs class it would seem.
“No chance of bringing back Alex though given he’s recently signed a three-year contract with a team that realise they’re lucky to have him.”
‘Celtic fans must think it’s still Covid. They seem to have won the league again while it is still possible mathematically to lose it’