Advertisement

Celtic fans spill deepest fears as Brendan Rodgers told to wake up or sleepwalk into Champions League nightmare - Hotline

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


There aren’t many things that the Hotline regulars can all agree on. But Denis Law’s legendary status was a topic callers could unite around.

Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, was first to pay tribute to the Scotland and Manchester United great, who passed away on Friday aged 84. He said: “In a world where the term world class is overused, we say farewell to a Scotsman who was genuinely world class. Rest in peace and thanks for the memories Denis.”

Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, added: "Modest and self-effacing, Denis said he was a very lucky guy to have had a bit of talent on the football pitch. But the word great used in its proper context would be fitting for Denis Law as he was all of that, having achieved superstar status at his beloved Manchester United. Idolised by the fans, a football immortal, Pele commented to writer Hugh McIllvanney that Denis was the only British player who could have got in Brazil's 1970 World Cup side. A humble man who never forgot his Aberdonian roots."

READ MORE: Louie Barry 'preference', Kyogo exit 'exploited' and £8.5m target breaks silence - Celtic transfer state of play

READ MORE: Celtic news bulletin as Stephen Welsh hooked at half time on debut against old team-mate and Champions League rivals toil

Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, followed that to say: “Football has lost an icon. Denis ‘the menace’ Law played should have been knighted. His dazzling performances on the pitch will life forever in football folklore.”

Bill Waugh, Glasgow, said: “Great player, great man and humble with it. One of the few players of any footballing generation that had respect from all fans and players. Not many have that claim especially in the modern era.”

Celtic kicked-off the defence of the Scottish Cup with an edgy win over Kilmarnock - but the Hoops faithful weren’t impressed. And Fraser Davison, Glasgow, said: “I've been saying it for weeks now, our poor passing, lack of movement, lack of physicality, reluctance to get involved in tackles, our desire to play 75 percent of a game in our own half is something that is leading Celtic into trouble.

Daizen Maeda celebrates after his goal for Celtic
Daizen Maeda celebrates after his goal for Celtic

"Add into the mix players like Reo Hatate who offer little and waste much. We pass up chance after chance and waste so much time messing around at the back playing across the pitch that always leads to panic and desperation in the last 20 minutes every game when we need a goal.”

Sean Dolan, Chicago, added: “The ongoing inane rhetoric of ‘just a slip up, a blip by Celtic’ is getting tired. These are not slip ups and blips. It is poor, sloppy play and it’s getting systemic. Any high press against Celtic is a winning strategy. They can’t deal with it and revert to amateurish passing and lazy play. If Rogers can’t see this, he needs to wake up. It’s been bleeding into the team for months.”

David Bryce, Troon, emailed in: ”Celtic limped through to the next round with yet another woeful performance against Kilmarnock. The team are a horrendous watch and have absolutely no style. I’ve never seen us as poor up front in all the years watching Celtic and Alistair Johnston needs dropped asap. If we perform like that against Young Boys on Wednesday we will lose. Rodgers is a one-trick pony who has no idea how to counter a high press.”

Kenny Wilson, Moffat, though, was a little chirpier as he said: “Thought Celtic played well but it was typical of their last few games. We should’ve been four up at half-time instead of the usual missed chances and then conceding a soft goal. But in the end they got the job done and deservedly so in front of a tremendous crowd for a 5.30pm Saturday kick-off, just showing why we’re the biggest and best club in Scotland.”

And James Robertson, Alabama, said: “As a fan these are the types of games I love to watch. Kilmarnock came to play, make no mistake about it. But Celtic came to play as well, and earned a well deserved victory. Now I’ll probably get slammed on this but since Willie Collum has taken over as head of officiating, referee standards have improved. Even Don ‘Red Card’ Robertson has called good ball games.”