It's been a while since the ‘Penalty to Rangers’ cry last reared its head on the Hotline. But after Philippe Clement’s grumble over Hibs’ spot kick award during Sunday’s 3-3 draw in Leith the debate has been flipped on its head.

It’s penalty AGAINST Rangers which has got the Ibrox boss hot under the collar. Not that he has much sympathy among callers. Jack Armstrong, Bathgate, said: “Here we go again with excuses from Clement. His silence was deafening after the Motherwell disallowed goal against his side a week earlier which has been proved to be alright. Diomande and Propper should have been sent off against Hibs.”

Scott Kerr, Glasgow, said: “More excuses from Clement. Hagi fouled the Hibs player so it was stonewall penalty. Butland punched the ball into own net against Motherwell and that goal should have stood. Clement is a sore loser.” Harry Fitzpatrick, Ontario, added: “When is this guy going to give respect to other teams? Never at any time has he admitted in defeats or draws that other teams deserved it? Even in 3-0 defeat to Celtic it was excuse after excuse, VAR , refs, should’ve scored… he’s, like a broken record.”

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And Kenneth Houston emailed: “I almost spat out my lunch when I read Philippe the Flop claiming that he did not want to see players going down in the box at the slightest contact to get a penalty. Sorry, but how did Rangers get nearly all of their penalties last year, especially Todd Cantwell? I know there are players in green hooped shirts who go down easy as well, but it is the judgement of the ref and VAR to determine what happened.”

Jimmy Mac, Glasgow, said: “Maybe the Clement fans will put their hands up and admit what I and others already knew before the season kicked off - Clement is all talk, all excuses and never Rangers quality as a manager. Three away wins from ten and one win from seven against Celtic? Those stats with any other club are ‘goodbye and thanks for nothing’. The club has taken a beating ever since Douglas Park was chairman and refused Steven Gerrard financial backing after winning the league which in turn forced Gerrard out. The Rangers board can no longer be run by supporters who have had nothing to do with football in their past employments for it is down to them our Institution is in dire straits on and off the park.”

However, Stuart McLeod, Stepps, argued: “Some still believe Celtic are victims of everything Scottish football. Well as a Rangers fan it's very easy to see how well the whole nonsense of ‘Penalty Rangers’ has worked in their favour. Still not a penalty awarded for us this season whilst we witness the penalty award at Hibs when two players basically came together. Add this to the big fuss Celtic made of being away from home on Boxing Day last season and would you believe it the Parkhead club haven't left Glasgow in five fixtures this festive period. Coincidence?”

Meanwhile, John Scott, Grassmoor, said: “At what point in their short history did Rangers earn the right to expect three points every time they rock up to Easter Road, Fir Park and the SMiSA? Let's change the narrative and start giving these clubs some credit when it's due. In Hibs’ case Rangers obviously thought they just had to turn up. Even a large proportion of Hibs supporters expected the worst at 2-0. So well done David Gray and the boys. Well done Motherwell and especially, well done the Paisley Saints taking all three points from the great entitled.”

Over to Celtic and Brendan Rodgers wasn’t exactly getting off Scot free from callers either. The Hoops boss had a pop at fans for booing backward passes at 0-0 against St Mirren and chanting Kieran Tierney’s name while Greg Taylor is in possession of the left back shirt.

John Caw emailed: “Rodgers is taking Celtic fans to be stupid. They do tend to make too many passes either across or back for nothing, then the centre backs slow right down, at times boring us to sleep. Let’s play football the way it should be played.” But Jimmy Murray, Edinburgh, said: “Rodgers is quite right having a go at the Celtic fans. Taylor may not be a great player but he always gives 100 per cent. More than I can say for others in the team. Also, don’t forget Teirney’s injury record is terrible. That’s not his fault. He has just been unlucky.”

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