Rangers fans split on Derek McInnes after opening day draw
Rangers fans split on Derek McInnes after opening day draw

The Hotline inquiry into Rangers' opening-day draw with Dundee United is in full flow, and Derek McInnes is straight in the firing line after just one competitive game in charge.

Early comparisons are already being drawn to Russell Martin's disastrous era as fans line up to have their say.

Fans split on the new boss

Barriemore Barlow, Dunbartonshire, said: "Rangers looked rudderless and disjointed, no discernible plan was apparent. The new recruits are not of a high quality. Another batch that is no better than the lot brought in by Russell Martin!"

Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

The manager let rip at referee Nick Walsh at the end of the game, and Gordon Ashley, Ayr, was unimpressed: "What a loser mentality Derek McInnes has started the season with. Shouting at referees when not one bad decision has gone against his team."

Ashley continued: "The truth is he is a bog standard Scottish manager in charge of a club going nowhere. His claim to fame is finishing second behind the champions."

However, Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, was more forgiving and agreed with the boss on the need for more wide men this summer.

He said: "It didn't go to plan but at the end of the day, Dundee United deserved the point. It could've been worse after United missed simple chance at the end to win it. Rangers must find a playmaker who can make things happen."

Livingstone added: "Obvious choice for McInnes has to be [Vaclav] Cerny, would be money well spent if he can deliver the club trophies. Ryan Naderi has got his critics, fair enough he's struggled, but he tries non-stop, McInnes shouldn't give up on him."

A plea for patience

John Spence, South Ayrshire, called for calm from fellow Ibrox diehards: "With 14 out of the last 15 seasons ending in abject misery, and with Russell Martin's disastrous tenure fresh in our minds, I understand fellow Rangers fans pressing panic buttons after the first game of the new season. But even by our standards guys debating McInnes successor already is ridiculous."

Spence continued: "Yes, we need decent results on the pitch, but we badly need stability off it. For the first time in a while we have ambitious owners and a string of Rangers men running through our club, a group who will feel our pain because it's theirs too."

"Let's give them a chance. This won't be an easy season, for us few are, but I do believe we're finally on the right track. But it may be a long haul and patience, not our strong point, will be required."

Transfer talk and a World Cup boycott

With the Premiership action up and running, transfer business has been bubbling along quietly behind the scenes. Celtic are holding out for a big payday if Arne Engels is to join West Ham, and Melvin Gess, Corbridge, is baffled that Rangers cannot command a similar fee for Nicolas Raskin.

He said: "Hells Bells! Please someone explain to me how Engles can be worth £25m and Raskin £20m? Are Celtic really that much better at marketing their product?"

Scotland, having ended a 28-year wait to return to the World Cup last summer, have joined fellow UEFA nations in agreeing to boycott the tournament amid an escalating row with FIFA. European football's governing body has declared a total loss of confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino after his plan to sell a private equity stake in World Cup commercial rights.

Robert Burns noted: "Great to see Scotland boycott the World Cup. They have been doing that for years with their inability to qualify, but it's the thought that counts."

Pickt after-article banner — collaborative shopping lists app with family illustration