Celtic fans are locked in a furious debate over Martin O'Neill's future, with supporters clashing on the Hotline after the team's 2-0 defeat to Falkirk. The split was laid bare as one fan branded critics "out of touch" while another insisted the current side is the worst he has seen in over 45 years.
Fans split over O'Neill's record
Paul Price, Glasgow, came to the defence of the manager, saying: "Any Celtic fans calling out O'Neill are completely out of touch with football! The man is only human like the rest of us and is prone to make a few mistakes. He had heehaw to do with the recruitment in the last two windows and still got us over the finishing line. Anyone of a Celtic mind that is bleating about him is an embarrassment and lacks any integrity. Suck it up and get a grip!"
But Scott McAdam, Partick, fired back: "So the happy clappy Martin O'Neill fan club say get a grip and don't criticise poor Martin... well let me tell you something, I've been following Celtic for over 45 years and O'Neill's team just now is the worst I've seen. Don't tell me to get a grip, I see with my own eyes how bad it is. All these clowns need to open their eyes and see the domestic form is the dugout's fault."
McAdam added: "The guy will not turn this around. He's out his depth. Football has changed in the last 26 years and Rangers will romp that league unless there's change now."
Scotland squad call-up questioned
Attention also turned to Rangers, with James Penrice called up for Sebastien Pocognoli's Scotland squad. Jim McLean, Isle of Bute, said: "I see we are back to normal. It was always a saying in the past, sign for Rangers and you will be picked for Scotland. Penrice is only just in the door at Ibrox and is now in a Scotland squad. I feel for some of the other players who have been knocking at the door for months. Yeah, back to the old days."
The call-up came despite a controversial late challenge on Aberdeen's Afeez Aremu. Stuart McLeod said: "Having been in the stadium to witness the James Penrice's high kick, which I thought and still do think was a red card, how many opposition fans now think the bar may have been set in the same stadium with the Austin Trusty kick at Jack Butland's head?"
McLeod added: "When we allow players to run about kicking out aimlessly at opponents these are the decisions we are stuck with unfortunately. Two wrongs certainly don't make it right and it proves once and for all the VAR system is clearly not working as it should in Scotland."
Hibs fans defend celebrations and ticket prices
Elsewhere, John Scott, Grassmoor, defended Hibs fans after their victory. He said: "If any clubs' fans deserve a moment to enjoy a headline victory it's the Hibees."
Scott continued: "First it was Rangers fan Peter Cooperwhite having a pop at us, now it's Hearts fan Davy Cook. Fans of two clubs who turned up at Hampden thinking they'd stroll past the Hibees, one for a trophy and the other for a place in a final. Bad enough all we get from an unimpressed media is Hearts injuries cost them. But criticism for gloating? Give it a rest."
Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: "There will be sunshine in Leith come December 13 when Hibs face Rangers at Hampden. As the Proclaimers sang, I will walk five hundred miles to watch the Hibees lift the trophy. That's my Proclaimer for the final!"
Neil Renton, Leith, criticised ticket prices for the Premier Sports Cup Final against Rangers, saying: "It's shocking the prices fans are being charged for the Premier Sports Cup Final. Charging fans £27 for kids' tickets weeks before Christmas is a scandal. We're pricing fans out of the game."
