The more things change, the more they stay the same. Refereeing controversies, Rangers fans questioning the new manager, and Celtic dragging their heels in the transfer market. Oh, how we missed Scottish football over the summer.
Rangers Fans Vent Over Penalty and Winless Start
Stuart McLeod let rip at Hibs' VAR penalty: "New season same old horrendous officiating. How Don Robertson and the VAR team managed to get to a penalty decision at Ibrox is beyond belief and to make matters worse he compounds the error by handing out a booking. VAR was introduced for clear and obvious errors, but it looks like the email to inform them must have gone into the spam folder that the SFA don't check, and refs have a free rein to re-referee when they see fit."
But Paul McCormack, Coatbridge, jumped to the defence of the officials: "Apparently, a defender running headlong at an opponent who's watching the ball come in from a corner, while being oblivious to where the ball is, shouldn't be a penalty, really. It was as clear a penalty as you'll ever see. He took four or five strides directly towards the Hibs player before any tussle started. No attempt to play the ball at all."
Derek McInnes is still waiting for his first win. Sam Morton from Edinburgh claims: "So when Russell Martin gets off to a slow start at Rangers he's dismissed as a dud by the press, but when McInnes goes winless in his first three games the media absolve him of blame and say it’s because the board aren't backing him, even though he's brought in nine players already. A bit inconsistent."
Lewis Fotheringham, Mount Ellen, vented: "Another dismal display by Rangers and by next Monday, we could already be out of two competitions if we don't get our act together quickly. And don't get me started on the decision to award that penalty! If that's a penalty, then I'm the Prime Minister of Canada!"
Hibs fan Neil Renton, Leith, enjoyed his Sunday: "Rangers made a right song and dance about getting McInnes in as manager from Hearts. Two league games and a disappointing European result and the only noise coming from Scottish football is that of laughter."
Celtic Fans Revel in Win and Call for More Signings
Celtic are already red-hot favourites for another title after dismantling Kilmarnock 5-1. Charles Maxwell beamed: "Celtic were sensational. Luckily for Killie, they had a wicket keeper between the sticks, or it would have been a cricket score. It looks like the Celtic management may have a masterplan after all. The thinning down of the squad has allowed us to invest in quality. Unlike our poor neighbours who seem to be giving an S-form to anyone with a pair of boots."
Record signing Kasper Hogh netted a ruthless hat-trick but David Beattie, Rothesay, wants to see more signings through the door pronto: "Hopefully the Celtic hierarchy are not sitting back thinking job done in this transfer window. Already the Hassan deal is dragging out like the Baur one and they should not be sitting waiting for Engels to go before getting Ginetis in. We needed all these players in on top of what we have, not to replace any outgoings, once again we wait with bated breath for them to do the right thing and quickly!"
Transfer Window Talk and Rivalry Banter
Celtic and Rangers are both braced for losing Belgian pair Arne Engels and Nicolas Raskin - but who is worth more? Liam Birney, Paisley, said: "It's getting a bit tiresome listening to the usual suspects Lowe, Frett and Co having a go at Celtic across a wide spectrum of nonsense driven by petty jealousy. Come back when your own team actually win something. Just a quick point on the Engles v Raskin debate. One is currently top of the league with four major honours to his name and is 22. Raskin is 25 and has won absolutely nothing in his career and sits ninth in the league with his team. Maybe that's why there is no interest in him?"
Cameron Hall, Edinburgh, added: "£30m for Chermiti. £25m for Raskin. £35m for Fernandez. This is going to be some transfer window for Rangers. And just imagine what those players would be worth if any of them had actually won something?"
