Rangers have been branded Wallpaper FC by fans on the Hotline, as support grows for Graeme Souness's criticism of the club's recruitment strategy. The former Ibrox boss has questioned not only the signings made in recent years, but also who is making the final decisions.
Souness backed over recruitment concerns
Derek McInnes has been furnished with one of the wingers he wanted this week, while talks are ongoing over another. But some punters reckon this is just papering over the cracks, and there are calls for Souness to get involved, with faith in Andrew Cavenagh seemingly starting to wane.
Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: "Would like to wish Celtic manager Martin O'Neill a speedy recovery – the dugout will not be the same with out him. I'd also also like to say Graeme Souness is correct – you can't have a recruitment officer in charge of any football club, never mind Rangers. Would a circus put a clown in charge of taming lions? I don't think so."
He added: "Rangers should change their name to wallpaper as all they are doing with these new signings is papering over the cracks and lucky if McInnes is a job by Christmas and a proper new football minded owner like Souness to buy this present regime out. Not got a glue."
Fans question signings and Scottish focus
Peter Cooperwhite agreed: "Must admit I'm 100 per cent with Graeme Souness as recruitment is abysmal at times. Take Ben Godfrey; hardly kicked a ball in earnest and sidelined for a month, we seem to sign players with that problem also some young projects haven't caught the imagination to say wow he's good."
He added: "Aasgaard; good goal, good second half but last season poor has he got it take go up a notch and command his role. Good to see signed Yokota, he's 26 and bit of experience so fingers crossed for him."
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, questioned why the focus on Scottish talent is being ignored: "At the end of the season Andrew Cavenagh made a media statement saying he preferred a rebuild using a main core of Scottish players whenever possible. Like the core Walter Smith had for years, all were top class. Obviously nobody at club took a blind bit of notice of Cavenagh as we're back once again with a stack of foreigners. Is it the right way forward for Gers?"
Celtic's Hogh debut splits opinion
As for Celtic's new £11million man Kasper Hogh, drawing a blank on his debut caught the Hotline's attention, and he continues to split opinion depending on who you support.
Alan Flett emailed: "Mr Mulhern reckons that Hogh is CL quality. I can't agree or disagree, as i haven't seen enough of him to judge. But what I do know is, he's left a CL quality team to join a bang average team. What was the score when Celtic last played Bodo/Glimt?"
But Scott McAdam, Glasgow, hit back: "I don't know were the man with no brain Frett gets his facts from. Hogh has only played one game – he will score goals and so will Duran. I certainly never said he was a dud. See Frett seems to have forgotten something: we don't boo our own players, unlike some other club. Mind you that won't affect you because you have never even been in the place."
Murray loan mystery and fixture frustration
As for potential Celtic exits, Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, can't understand why Dane Murray isn't being allowed to join Dundee. He emailed: "I’m mystified why Celtic refused Dane Murray to join Dundee on loan. For me it would suit both parties and with Carter-Vickers back his opportunities will be slim to say the least."
He added: "I’d use Liam Scales as an example when he joined Aberdeen on loan and returned to be a leading player in Celtics dominance in recent seasons."
Finally Robert McEwen, Mount Vernon, sees an opportunity needlessly missed for a Saturday Celtic game this weekend. He said: "How frustrating is it that Celtic can't get a Saturday game? We don't have a game in midweek , nor do Kilmarnock yet we are playing on Sunday AGAIN"
