Celtic backlash begins as Rangers fans remind rivals 'you're still a minnow even if you swim with sharks' – Hotline
It was either heartbreaking or hilarious depending on which side of the Glasgow divide you reside.
Celtic being dumped out of the Champions League with the last kick of the game against Bayern Munich despite putting on their best continental showing away from home for years will have stung those of a green and white leaning. Rangers fans watching at home loved the late twist and couldn't resist putting the boot in, reminding their rivals second best is nothing. That might be considered bold given their dire domestic position and a Europa League last 16 clash still to come, but self awareness isn't really how the Hotline rolls.
Chris Lowe, Yoker, emailed: "With Bayern treating the game as a training match can we please be spared the nonsense over a nearly result. Two away wins in 33 years in this competition and having never ever won a knockout tie shows you exactly what Celtic bring to the Champions League . If it wasn’t for playing the bottom three teams in a 36-team league they’d have been out months ago. Brugge showed us how good Atalanta are at home."
Alfie Mullin, London, added: "The German sharks teased with the Glesga sticklebacks. There was no other outcome that could've happened. The Germans have more important fish to fry in their league, rather than worrying about minnows like that Glesga mob." Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, had no sympathy. He said: "Despite all the hard luck stories surrounding the game against Bayern, Celtic, once again, are bridesmaids. Bayern were shocking, and Celtic should have beaten them .
William Mercer, Dumfries, demanded perspective: "There needs to be some perspective given to the hype surrounding Celtic's Champions League exploits. They suffered a 7-1thumping, they only won three matches out of 10, those wins coming at home against the teams that finished 36th, 35th and 32nd in a 36 team League. In the four games against Villa, Bayern and Atalanta they only managed 13 shots on target with possession stats of 157% to 247%, and once again went out at the first knock out stage."
Donald Dundas, Uddingston, was a bit more diplomatic but has argued everyone to keep their calculators in their pockets: "As a Rangers fan I must say Celtic deserved more from the performance in Munich. However, please spare us the usual melodrama of certain players now being worth 10s and 20s of million pounds.
"Remember, it's just another European exit after all. Even the most ardent would admit that the mighty Bayern just weren't as mighty. But they still went through."
Ian Ferguson, Lochgilphead, kept the theme going: "Congratulations Celtic Reasonable performance against a German team who used to be a major force in Europe (let's be honest they are not going to win it). Now we can get behind the last Scottish team in Europe already in the next round of matches and flying the flag for Scotland as usual?"
In what is undoubtedly a Hotline first, it's time to break out Newton's Third Law of Motion: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." Or in Scottish football speak, you can't avoid and Celtic and Rangers tit for tat spat. True enough, for every Bluenose talking it down, there's an Old Firm brother in arms shouting from the rooftops as they deride the inevitable detractors.
Eaddie Easson, Ballingry, was getting his retaliation in first. He said: "No doubt there will be the usual detractors of a courageous performance by Celtic. They fought like the lions they are. Neither manager or captain offered up any excuses it just wasn’t to be. Celtic have be praised all over the world the world for their gallant fight. Sadly it won’t be recognised by certain quarters. Now on to The Diddy Cup.
Peter Lyons, Blantyre, did his best Sir Alex impression, saying: "Well, that stung me last night. But after sleeping on it, I now have an overwhelming sense of PRIDE as to where my team are. They are evolving in Europe and no one can argue that not even Mr Statto (who will no doubt be on reminding us). But we went toe to toe with an elite European football team. As Sir Alex would say to all Celtic fans. Be pwoud, very pwoud and we are."
One missing ingredient could have left a far better taste for Celtic according to Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton: "It was unbelievable to reflect after the drubbing in Dortmund that Celtic where seconds away from taking the potential winners into extra time. Celtic's performance over the two legs undoubtedly proved that we deserve to be playing at this top level but I hate to admit that if Kyogo had stayed we would be in the last 16 with the chances we gave up."
And Gordon Ashley, Ayr, couldn't resist a dig at Rangers' nightmare group stage campaign. He emailed: "Well done to Celtic for restoring credibility to Scotland at Champions League level.
"We may have the worst ever team to play in the original format but we also have a team who can make the knockout phase and take one of the big five clubs all the way in a thriller restoring our nation's champions league pride, now we can concentrate on bagging a glorious treble to complete a vintage season."
