Rangers suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Hibernian, with a contentious VAR-awarded penalty dominating post-match reactions. Boos rang out at Ibrox as the full-time whistle confirmed Derek McInnes' first league loss as Rangers boss.
Penalty controversy
The visitors opened the scoring after VAR flagged an incident in the box involving Rangers new boy Vanja Dragojevic and Jason Kerr, prompting referee Don Robertson to award a spot kick. Josh Campbell converted, but the decision infuriated fans.
Willie Mercer, Dumfries, said: "An absolutely shocking decision to award Hibs the penalty, if that's the bar for penalties then there will be hundreds this season. What happened to the governing rule of 'clear and obvious error' before VAR get involved? The game is now getting micro-managed to its detriment in Scotland by by incapable VAR officials and weak referees who are too scared to stick with their original view/decision on the incident. Subsequent apologies from [Willie] Collum do not redress the effect these erroneous decisions have on the outcome of the game."
Peter Cooperwhite wasn't having excuses: "Take away the crazy penalty decision, Rangers were woeful to be honest and Shankland. After two games his form isn't good."
Fans turn on McInnes
Callum Wright's injury-time winner sparked a Hotline pile-on for the Light Blues and McInnes. Steve McSherry, Uddingston, said: "After Celtic’s hammering of Kilmarnock coupled with an excellent performance, and Hibs and Hearts winning as expected, I strongly believe that it will be these three clubs challenging for the title. As for Rangers, a finish in the top six will be an achievement."
The former Hearts boss was taunted from Tynecastle, as Robert Burns said: "Here’s a wee nostalgic ditty for McInnes - 'Hearts…Hearts…glorious Hearts..It’s down at Tynecastle they bide'." Linda Hay chimed in: "New season same rangers. It's the boo boo boo seats of Ibrox."
Celtic cruise as Hogh nets hat-trick
Champions Celtic demolished Kilmarnock 5-1, with record-signing Kasper Hogh netting a hat-trick. After criticism over a disappointing debut against Dundee, Celtic fans are defending the £11.5million striker.
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: "A brilliant performance from the champions I thought they outstanding especially going forward and Kasper Hogh will score bucket loads of goals this season and his hold up and link up play is also 1st class and to think some people were saying he was a waste of money. Still not convincing defensively yet but that will come."
Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: "After one game Kasper Hogh was not the man - well, well. He has justified his price tag. The guy has got it."
Stephen Mulhern said: "I got ridiculed on the Hotline by suggesting Kasper Hogh is the Scottish equivalent of Erling Haaland but after witnessing his performance today I’ve changed my mind to the Scottish Premiership one of Harry Kane. It was as outstanding performance by a proven champions league striker and as far as the first Glasgow derby is concerned I’d say to all Rangers fans be afraid very afraid."
William Hutchison, Aberdeen, couldn't resist sparring: "Now we are seeing why we paid £11m for Hugh...and before that idiot Alan Flett gets his penny worth saying it was only against Killie. Well, we paid £11m for a striker to score goal, no matter who its against."
Hearts and Raskin debate
Hearts ran riot against Dundee United, worrying Kenny Goff: "This performance from United was shocking, after just 10 minutes the game was over. With Celtic next then the derby Goodwin better start banging heads together."
Record Sport columnist Barry Ferguson reckons Rangers should land a bigger payday for Nico Raskin than Celtic will receive for Arne Engels. Chris Lowe, Yoker, agrees: "[Barry] Ferguson is spot on about his Nico Raskin v Arne Engels claim. Raskin is an established international player who was very good at the World Cup he has also performed well in Europe Engels isn’t an international player isn’t a regular first pick for Celtic and hasn’t performed well in Europe He has only scored 17 goals in two full seasons 12 of them penalties. £25 million rated? Did someone miss out the decimal point."
