Union Bears look away now as Rangers protest own goal sparks Hotline hammering – 'the Keystone Cops of Scotland'
It was Bear on Bear at Ibrox on Sunday as Rangers’ civil war swept into the stands. Sections of the Ibrox fanbase reacted with fury when ultras staged a walk-out during the win over St Johnstone.
And there were more shots fired on the Hotline too as opposition fans gave their take on the weekend spat. Nick Boyle, New York City, said: “Rangers fans - the Keystone Cops of Scotland. They tried to stage a walkout to show the club that they were united in opposition to Philippe Clement and the board. Instead they underscored the schism among the support when the walkout was booed. Just as they can’t get it together on the pitch, they can’t unite off it. For fans that love a Union, they could not be more divided. Meanwhile on the other side of the city…”
Neil Renton, Leith added: “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Rangers fans disappearing from the stadium during a match. The players have been doing the same for ages.”
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, wrote in: “Large elements of the Rangers support are acting like entitled spoiled kids. Following relegation and administration, that lot need to get real. Fine, do your childish 55 walkouts, stay away. This is a new era, and I welcome what’s on offer, until it gets better.”
Gordon Ashley, Ayr, called to say: “Rangers fans can stage hilarious walkouts and talk paranoid drivel about loaded dice on the hotline all they want. It won’t change the fact they are up against a club with £80million in the bank and another £60m to come if they make the next stage of the Champions League as well as a young squad worth a fortune. That is not something any of the last three managers are responsible for and won’t change in the next 20 years - so get used to it!”
Alan Flett said: “Rangers' inconsistent form is down to motivation. Our performances in Europe and the display against Celtic prove how good we can be.
“The problem is there are no dyed in the wool Rangers men on the coaching staff to make the players realise that they can't pick and choose when to turn up. I keep hearing that no Rangers players would get in the Celtic team. For that matter, how many Celtic players would get in the Rangers team? Cameron Carter-Vickers? Kyogo? That's about it!”
Ian Renton, Johnstone said: “It really is an exciting season for all of us who support Rangers. We never know whether we are going to win, draw or lose a game. We never know what team is going to turn up in any given match. Pity the poor Celtic support who know they are never going to lose a game no matter how they play.”
Celtic had a winger shortage in the Highlands but that didn’t stop them soaring off with the points after a 4-1 win over Ross County. Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “Another good win for the champions with a hard fought win in Dingwall against a stubborn Ross County team. Never an easy place to go and even harder on a difficult playing surface but once again showing our winning mentality, with Kyogo coming up trumps with two good goals and a great all round performance.”
Bill Lockerbie, Northampton, took a keen interest in this weekend’s FA Cup tie involving minnows Tamworth and Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs. He said: “Is it possible that St Mirren, Dundee Utd and Ross County, recent so-called ‘opponents’ of the champions elect, could take a leaf out of Tamworth's book.
“Tamworth threw caution to the wind, dared to cross the halfway line, played football and dispensed with time wasting tactics “If some of the Premiership sides did this it might give the fans some value for money! Win, lose or draw, take a bow, Tamworth, sixteenth in the English National League.”
Meanwhile, Aberdeen’s remarkable slump means Jimmy Thelin’s team have now taken four points from the last 33 available following the draw with Hearts. Hugh McKirdy said: “Concerning times at Aberdeen again after what looked like a promising season! We change managers like underwear nowadays! A sad state of affairs indeed.”
