Celtic are one step from the Champions League group stage, but history warns a three-goal swing is possible. The Hoops need to avoid a collapse in Linz on Tuesday night to secure a £40million windfall, and fans of a certain vintage are not counting their chickens yet.
Historic collapses haunt Celtic fans
Michael Emonds, from Northampton, said: “I totally agree with regular Hotliner Stephen Mulhearn that Celtic need to score against Lask as they won’t be as unlucky at home as they were at Celtic Park.” He recalled Benfica coming back with three goals in Lisbon to level Celtic’s three from Glasgow, only to lose on the toss of a coin.
“I’m that wee bit older and can remember in 1964 Celtic took a three-goal advantage to Budapest in the semi-final of the Cup Winners Cup only to lose 4-0 to MTK Budapest and fail to reach the final, it’s only half-time so total concentration is needed until the final whistle.”
Rangers pressure mounts on McInnes
Hotline regular Charles Maxwell claimed last week’s Euro results highlighted the gulf in class between Celtic and Rangers. Alan Flett responded: “You speak more rubbish than Ashley, McAdam and Mulhern put together. Celtic were lucky to beat LASK 3-0. I don’t know what game you were watching because it certainly wasn’t comfortable. Any half-decent Champions League side will tear you lot to bits, and once again the whole country will be singing, let's all laugh at Celtic!”
It is a huge week for Derek McInnes, with Rangers’ European fate hanging in the balance. Peter Cooperwhite said: “I hope that Derek McInnes and his team get some sort of act together on Thursday as it's nine years since we were put out by Progres Niederkorn with other poor manager Pedro Caixinha in charge. Derek, get it together and let us stop having a pop at you and the team for once. God knows how it will pan out if we don't qualify.”
Ibrox legend Terry Butcher backed McInnes to get it right this season after a poor start. But Celtic fan Stephen Mulhern said: “I almost choked on my cornflakes when I read Terry Butcher saying that Derek McInnes' record as a manager proves he deserves to be. What a bizarre statement. One trophy in his managerial career doesn’t make him an outstanding manager in my eyes.”
Transfer fears and SFA scepticism
Jamie Thompson from Glasgow fears Rangers could rue passing up on a deal for PSV’s Couhaib Driouech after a medical issue. He said: “Rangers not signing Couhaib reminds me of the John Hartson mistake. I'm not sure we have the right manager. Have we brought in more slow, low-quality players? And the right team captain?”
Elsewhere, SFA chief Craig Mulholland has vowed to generate millions for the game by blooding more Scots. But Gary Stevenson from Newtonhill isn’t convinced: “You have to hand it to Craig Mullholland and the SFA top brass. They have announced an initiative to bring more Scottish players into the game. To back that up, they have brought in an unknown Belgian to manage our National Team.”
Tribute to Kevin Keegan
Away from Scottish football, Newcastle and Liverpool fans came together to pay tribute to legendary Kevin Keegan, who lost his battle with prostate cancer last month. Robert Livingstone from Palm Beach added: “A beautiful tribute at St. James Park for one of football's greats, Kevin Keegan. Fans together all decorated in both team colours, displaying his name and photo, very moving. Newcastle went above and beyond for one of their own.”
