The Hotline phones were red hot as the international break failed to cool the Old Firm sparring, with Rangers fans taking aim at Celtic counterparts and Connor Goldson catching flak over his exit comments.
Raskin debate reignites
Regular caller Alan Flett hit back at fellow fans after Nico Raskin's return to form during Rangers' resurgence before the Premiership paused. He said: "Stephen Mulhern, you really do talk utter nonsense! Raskin was the best Belgian player at the World Cup, whilst £25million man Arne Engels couldn't even make their squad. Aye, Raskin is really overrated! At least you have the balls to front up, unlike your fellow chuckle brothers, Ashley and McAdam. The silence from those two clowns over the last fortnight has been deafening."
Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, responded to former Ibrox defender Alan Hutton's claim that no Celtic players would get into Rangers' starting line-up: "Alan Hutton might have a point that on present form no Rangers player would get into the Celtic side. But I find it amusing that when Celtic were flying prior to the Champions League exit he never bothered to mention that no Rangers players would nail down a place in the Celtic side. Celtic are a wounded animal right now, and I'm convinced these comments will come back to haunt him."
Goldson in the firing line
Connor Goldson found himself targeted after the centre-back revealed his frustration at his treatment at the end of his Rangers career in 2024. Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: "It's funny how many ex players crawl out of their holes to get press coverage when either of the Old Firm are doing well. Connor Goldson is the latest, a good player who tried to hold Rangers to ransom for more money. His attempt failed and he moved on and hasn't been heard of since. Now he wants to tell anyone interested that it was he that was treated badly."
VAR and fixture gripes
VAR also took flak after Laurent Mendy's early goal for Hearts against Kilmarnock was controversially disallowed for handball. Rab, Dumfries, said: "Once again the SFA attempt to defend the indefensible! Can they please advise exactly where in the rule book it states an own goal can be disallowed due to an accidental handball because I can't find it, or is this just another on-the-spot made up rule? The actual ruling for such an incident was clearly spelt out down south when an identical situation arose, so are the SFA finally confirming what many have thought for long enough, that we have different rules, particularly for certain teams?"
Last season's talking points were dragged up after Scott Gowers vented on Celtic landing a home Premiership fixture to round off the season against Hearts. Tony Conlin emailed: "In reply to Scott Gowers comment about SPFL and SFA protocols, had the fixtures not been the way they ended up, Celtic would have ended up playing less home games, the rules guarantee each top 12 teams, 19 home games, people buy season tickets on this basis, or is it ok for some teams to play less home games while others get 19, had things went the way Scott wants, Rangers would have had 20 fixtures post split, where Celtic would have had 17, granted Celtic v Hearts, brought drama on the last day, but Hearts surely should have been at home on the last day, Celtic too, due to the fixtures catch up."
He added: "The scenario that took place at the end of the season, while great for Scottish football, has caused lots of fall outs and arguments. Scott is right in the respect of how the post split fixtures panned out, but its unfair to blame the clubs, and say it favoured any of the top 6. What I would like to know is what happened to the at home one week, away the next match and so on, things worked out much better that way."
Scotland squad disagreements
Scotland fans also failed to agree, after Andrew Walsh took aim at goalkeeper Angus Gunn and captain Andy Robertson, with digs at Billy Gilmour. Marty Roberts, Clydebank, said: "Just saw the Hotline on Monday...what planet is Andrew Walsh on? So, who would you put in goal then? As for Robertson, he might not be as good as before, but he is still a good player. And as for Gilmour - well if he thinks he's not a good player, tell me, who is better than him at the moment? What a dork."
Kevin Mc said: "Wee Billy Gilmour is only the player in the squad who wants the ball anywhere in the park. Steve Clarke should have played him more. I hope the new manager builds his team around him."
