Celtic extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to four points with a hard-fought victory over Hibs, but the performance left fans frustrated, particularly with record signing Kasper Hogh, who again failed to find the net.
Despite strong Edinburgh winds and a difficult away fixture, Celtic came from behind to take all three points against a Hibs side still bottom of the table. Hogh returned to the starting lineup but endured another goalless afternoon, prompting questions about manager Martin O'Neill's selection choices.
Fans Question Hogh's Place in the Side
Charles Maxwell asked: "Why on earth did Martin O'Neill pick Hogh again? When is it going to sink in that the guy is useless? If he was any sort of striker he'd have bagged a brace in the 1st half. But the missed chances meant Celtic were left bracing themselves towards the end of the game."
Maxwell also criticised the referee's performance, adding: "Its bad enough having an empty shirt up top but pushing Duran wide means detracting from his game too. I wasn't impressed with the ref. He seems incapable of letting play go on if Celtic looked like getting an opportunity. Its beginning to look like some officials are trying to Ref-luence the game."
John Caw emailed: "Never in my eighty six years have I seen a team like Celtic. They must hold world record for back-passing. Then they have two players one reputed to be a goal scorer and the other who does score but does nothing else. Never tackles, when he attempts he fouls(Nygren). I am almost in tears watching this rubbish."
Kenny Wilson from Moffat focused on the result: "Three points is all that mattered in a tough place to go in tricky conditions but it was another poor performance lacking quality all over the pitch constantly giving possession away. Would love to know what Oxlade-Chamberlain has done to the manager that he can't get game time in that team."
Rangers Fans See Title Race Turning Point
Rangers impressed with a comprehensive win over St Johnstone at Ibrox, and Robert Livingstone from Palm Beach identified a potential decisive moment in the title race: "If they keep winning till end of year, new year's Old Firm Ibrox game, could be the turning point for Rangers."
He added: "A good performance from Gers in tough playing conditions kelsy best on the park, though whole side performed well, with a unselfish Naderi who just never stops. A confidence booster for Hearts game, though they should've scored more goals plenty chances missed."
Weather Decisions and VAR Review Under Fire
The Premiership card survived Storm Boleo this weekend, but other divisions and the Scottish Cup were not so fortunate. Michael McAlinden questioned the decision-making process, emailing: "How can they possibly allow games to start if the ball cannot sit still for kick off, corners, free kicks or goal kicks."
He added: "Why is this any different to the infringement of taking a free kick and gaining advantage whilst the ball is moving. Once again the paying customers are short changed. The same paying customers who are being asked to travel during an AMBER weather warning."
William Mercer from Dumfries was baffled by Willie Collum's explanations during the latest VAR Review Show: "During this months Scottish VAR review, Willie Collum kept going on about consistency and impact when commenting on the incidents under review. The only thing consistent in relation to the VAR system in Scotland is Willie Collum having to defend and excuse the errors made by his team of match and VAR officials."
Mercer continued: "And as far as impact is concerned, the biggest impact is on those sides who happen to be on the receiving end of those erroneous decision. Not only does he not make any acknowledgement of the impact on the affected sides, he is apt to salve the failures of his teams by saying " i can see and understand why the decision was made" At least the impact of what he is saying, is consistent!"
