Celtic supporter Sam MacPhail has voiced fears that his side are primed for a setback against Derek McInnes' Rangers on Sunday, citing unsustainable defensive frailties and a missing replacement for Arne Engels.
Celtic fan warns of Ibrox rude awakening
MacPhail, from Oldham, told the Hotline: "I was up for the game in Paisley on Saturday night and the amount of shots and chances we're giving up is unsustainable. We made LASK look like a Euro heavyweight because something is wrong in the way our midfield protects our defence."
He added: "I'm fed up arguing with folk about Callum McGregor, he's a good player, of course, but he doesn't have the legs to be the deepest man in our midfield. Benjamin Nygren is a goal threat but he doesn't provide enough going back the way. I love the risky passes Mika Baur plays and he looks quality, however, it won't be long until he falls into the trap of playing it safe. We haven't replaced Arne Engels and I feel we're ripe for a rude awakening at Ibrox."
Rangers threat dismissed by other fans
However, not every caller shares that concern. Michael O'Leary, Glasgow, said: "Alan Flett says Rangers will eventually get it right and blow Celtic out of the water. Seriously? Would Alan be willing to predict when that might happen... any particular year, decade, or even century? Dream on."
The debate comes ahead of back-to-back encounters between the Glasgow giants, months after the last double header ended with a public inquest following a pitch invasion that landed both teams in the dock and triggered no away fans attending the fixture.
Goalkeeping and striker concerns raised
On the goalkeeping front, Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, warned against playing Sam Johnstone in Sunday's Cup tie, saying: "By all accounts Martin O’Neill hasn’t completely ruled out playing Englishman Sam Johnstone in Sunday's Cup tie. That must be a wind up it brings back nightmares for me when fellow Englishman Ian Andrew’s was pitched in by Billy McNeil in a horrendous five one loss back in 1988 and for me it would be sheer folly playing him when he’s not even match fit."
Charles Maxwell questioned Kasper Høgh's role as back-up striker, saying: "Will Høgh be back-up striker for the long term? I've got a feeling he'll be 3rd choice behind big Mhueka. I'm not criticising the boy. But if a horse has only ever run on firm ground, you'd be a mug to put the wages on him on a wet Wednesday at Kelso."
Arin Geddes, Irvine, asked whether Wouter Vrancken's pitch invasion after Hearts' last-minute winner could lead to a ban, while Jimmy Smith, Larbert, backed James McPake for the Scotland squad, saying: "I'm quite excited about the Scotland squad announcement. James McPake is a must for me."
