The phones were red hot on the Hotline as punters began the countdown to the Scottish Premiership kick-off, with Rangers crowned champions—albeit with an asterisk—and Celtic described as a shambles, sending fans into transfer panic.
Celtic's Transfer Woes and Fan Concerns
It has been a slow summer for Celtic, with the transfer season well underway and Parkhead punters starting to panic. Martin O'Neill revealed he received no guarantees from Dermot Desmond over market moves before agreeing to return, and after a heavy pre-season defeat to Sporting CP this week, Charles Maxwell expressed concern.
He said: "I can't believe how threadbare the Celtic squad is looking. Martin O'Neill needs to get up to Slater's sharpish, or we can patch next season."
Rangers Fans Urged to Capitalise
Alan Flett reckons it's time for the Light Blues to capitalise: "For the good of, not only Rangers, but Scottish football, Derek McInnes has to be the right man. For far too long, a poor Celtic team has been allowed to dominate the domestic scene whilst being a complete embarrassment in Europe. Celtic have made our game a laughing stock and we need Rangers back on top to restore some order."
Kenny Wilson from Moffat has a creeping concern about Rangers but warned supporters about pre-season point scoring: "With Rangers winning the pre-season league once again, surely their fans would learn to gloat after they had actually won something for once? Celtic as a club are a shambles just now and unless serious money is spent, then Rangers fans might get that chance."
World Cup Final and England's Exit
The World Cup final is now set for Sunday, after Argentina saw off England to secure a blockbuster showdown with Spain. The Tartan Army are relieved after Thomas Tuchel couldn't bring it home.
Richard Wharton from Carlisle said: "Thank the lord it's NOT 'coming home'. Folks can enjoy the final now in peace!"
Peter Cooperwhite said: "I think the great man himself Maradona got into the players and pushed them on. I saw it coming really, England done hee haw after the goal. Every chance now for a wonderful final."
James Murray from Cumnock said: "Great semi last night, every tournament since 1966 England's aspirations have always been too high—the only time, as they say, it's coming home is if England play all their games at Wembley like they did in 1966. But, like every other competition, as usual it has all ended in tears."
Jamie Thompson from Glasgow wasn't having any stick, especially after Kris Boyd noised up Tuchel's men. He said: "How can Boyd have a go at an England team that reached the semi-final of the World Cup? Take a hard look at Scotland—embarrassing performance."
Argentina Faces Potential FIFA Sanctions
Argentina could face FIFA disciplinary action after a Falkland-related banner was displayed by the team after the win. Stuart McLeod commented: "The irony that FIFA are considering sanctions against Argentina for a political banner about the Falklands. This is the same organisation that allowed the American president to decide how the red card system should be applied in his country's matches. An organisation that idly sat by and watched an Iranian team treated differently to everyone else and changed the rules on bans to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to play in the group games."
