Philippe Clement gets unanimous Rangers verdict on his future from the Jury with Patrick Stewart in the firing line
Will Celtic take down Bayern Munich over two legs to reach the last 16 of the Champions League?
KEITH JACKSON: Probably not. But if they can give the Germans a bloody nose in Glasgow on Wednesday they can keep the tie alive heading to the Allianz. Daizen Maeda will be a big miss for the first leg but Celtic might still have enough firepower to catch Bayern by surprise.
FRASER WILSON: Celtic at full tilt can get a result in Glasgow on Wednesday no matter how strong Bayern may be. I can see a score draw to take over to Germany. But over two legs the Bundesliga giants’ quality will prove too much.
ANDY NEWPORT: It looks very unlikely. For all that Celtic have been impressive this year while undoubtedly making forward strides on the continent, Bayern are a level or two above where Brendan Rodgers has them at the moment.
READ MORE: Philippe Clement on Rangers brink LIVE as board have extra time to decide fate of a boss on the edge
SCOTT BURNS: It is going to be a big ask. Bayern Munich aren’t as dominant as they have been in recent seasons but they will still be big favourites. Brendan Rodgers’s side has done well to get this far and will want to keep it alive going to Germany.
Will Philippe Clement survive this at Rangers?
KEITH: If he does survive then it will be because he’s operating under a Rangers board which is itself not fit for purpose. Patrick Stewart might have hoped to avoid pulling the trigger but the CEO must realise now that continuing to do nothing is no longer an option.
FRASER: The Rangers board appeared to have backed the manager to the end of the season no matter what... but this defeat might change that. It’s a catastrophic result no matter how much they dominated the game. The domestic campaign is over by February 9 and that’s an indictment on everyone at Ibrox.
ANDY: He’s in major trouble now. Leading the team into the last 16 of the EL won the beleaguered Belgian some time but the fans have had it with Clement and his stuttering side. He may limp on while the board swither on a decision but the Ibrox legions have made their position clear.
SCOTT: He shouldn’t after that result but seems to have more lives than a black cat. This should be the end of the road but does have this board have the cash the cash to sack him.
There are mounting calls for Scottish football to kick VAR into touch. Where do you stand?
KEITH: The technology is sound. It’s the people operating it who are causing the problems. VAR is an invaluable tool which exists to help referees get the big calls right. Our guys just need to get the finger out and use it properly.
FRASER: Put it in the bin. Then set fire to the bin. It’s getting worse where we were told it would improve every season. It’s becoming toe curling listening to Willie Collum admit his referees are bungling every week.
VAR is ruining the fan experience at games and costing clubs money with little value in return.
ANDY: I’m not against the tech, just how it’s used. I think there’s been some welcome changes since Willie Collum took over but more are needed. If clubs are serious about improving it, they should fork to ensure the men holding the clicker are full-time.
SCOTT: I am 100% in the camp of putting VAR in the bin! It has become a costly sideshow and our game and teams aren’t getting value for money. Unless we can improve VAR then I would scrap it.
Having pushed Hibs so hard on Friday night is Scott Brown getting Ayr United top flight ready?
KEITH: They certainly look the part. But if Brown can lead this squad up as champions or through the play-offs then he’ll need to be given a few quid to add the quality required to keep them in the top flight.
FRASER: Yes. Brown and Steven Whittaker are doing a fantastic job. It’s not like they have thrown money at big name players. They’ve moulded a modest squad into a well-functioning unit, strong at the back with a goal threat up top. It might not be this season. But under Brown they could well be a Premiership side soon.
ANDY: Scott Arfield and his new Falkirk colleagues won’t see it that way but the one thing for sure it is all set up for a thrilling finale to the Championship season.
SCOTT: Ayr United should be up there because they are one of the top payers in the Championship. I still think Falkirk will come out on top and make it back-to-back promotions. Their late surge in the transfer market could make all the difference.
