Jealous Rangers fans told Celtic have set up REAL Battle of Britain as they prepare for cross-border dross clash - Hotline
Celtic supporters went through the wringer as they watched their side clinch a place in the Champions League knockout stages.
And emotions were still riding high as the happy Hoops hit the Hotline ringer on Thursday to celebrate ending a 12-year wait for a place beyond the group stage. Brendan Rodgers’ side eventually saw off Young Boys 1-0 thanks to Loris Benito’s 86th minute own goal after an evening where it looked like nothing was going to go their way.
Paul McCormack, Coatbridge, said: “If there ever was a Celtic way to win a game and go through to knockout stage that was it. Three goals chopped off, a missed penalty, hitting the bar, a red card, an amazing double save from our keeper, before we get the only break of the ball we got in the entire second half to score. What a night!” Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “A great achievement for a Scottish club to get out the group stage with a game to spare and no doubt jealous Rangers fans will be saying it was an easy group but there’s no such thing in the Champions League. A deserved victory and once again the team showed their winning mentality not letting the disappointment of three offside goals and a missed penalty in the first half affect them. Big Kasper once again contributing with some vital saves.”
Mark McManus, Purley, added: “Well done Celtic for qualifying for the knockout stage and keeping the coefficient going while making some money. No doubt the usual suspects will be typing/dialling as I write to score points with negative comments. Who cares? I shall smile while I read them, knowing the best team in Scotland is up with the best in Europe while the also-rans watch on from behind.” And James Logan, Glasgow, said: “In their last eight games in the Champions League, Celtic have won four, drawn three and lost only one against teams from Holland, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Croatia - four of the best football nations in the world. Not bad for a team recently described as ‘bang average’ by a jealous Rangers fan.”
Celtic fans’ joy was soon tinged with sadness though as news broke of Rennes closing in on a deal to end Kyogo’s three-and-a-half year stay in Glasgow. Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “My feelings went from delight to delusion after witnessing Celtic winning and then hearing the shocking news that Kyogo is taking a backward step moving to a lesser club in France. It’s akin to Harry Kane leaving Spurs - and bringing back Jota would be small consolation.” Stevie McSherry, Uddingston, said: “Although I’m delighted that Celtic have reached the knockout stage of the Champions League, our second half performance shows that we need to strengthen up front. It’s ok being the biggest, richest and most successful club in Scotland but if we want to make a mark in Europe we will need to perform for 90-plus minutes.”
It wouldn’t be the Hotline without a bit of cross-Glasgow tit-for-tat and what better ammo than European results? Scott McAdam, Glasgow, said: “Good to see Celtic progress and set up a proper Battle of Britain. Instead of the dross of England.
"You’re lucky if there is a top five team in those Europa League matches Rangers have played. Atalanta would skelp any one of those teams including Rangers.” Brian McColligan emailed: “Reader Jamie Thomson mentions Young Boys being a diddy club at the bottom of the Champions League group but forgets to mention the team at the bottom of the Europa League group, Dinamo Kiev, is in fact the team that stopped his club participating in the major tournament in the first place.”
Meanwhile, Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “Apparently it wasn't because Borussia Dortmund were lying 10th in the German Bundesliga that got their manager the sack. It wasn't that they were lying 13th in the Champion's League Group Stages either. But only scoring seven against Celtic was too much. He had to go.”
Finally, regular caller John Scott, Grassmoor, had a message for the boo boys. He said: “I read Leon Balogun’s impassioned plea to the Rangers fans to stop booing Cyril Dessers. However it’s not a new thing at Ibrox is it. Many of us remember the abuse Alistair McCoist received from his own fans months after arriving from Sunderland. It’s not just Rangers though. One of the best players I saw in a Hibs shirt was Ally McLeod who got dogs abuse from our supporters because they reckoned you wouldn't find a drop of sweat on his shirt at the end of 90 minutes. I've always wondered how these boo boys would react walking through their factory, building site or office as their colleagues screamed you're f***ing useless! So why do it to a player in your club’s shirt?”
