Hearts' Champions League dream is in danger of being over before it’s really started. Rivals have jumped on the Jambos and claimed the Championship is more likely than the group stages.
It was a tough night against Sturm Graz for the Tynecastle side and Hibs, Rangers and Celtic fans couldn’t wait to hit the Hotline to put the boot in.
Fan reactions to Hearts' defeat
Neil Renton, Leith, said: “The season hasn’t even started at already Hearts are in free fall. The hammering by Sturm Graz is an embarrassment to all of Scottish football and proves that they should have done the decent thing and not taken part in the elite European competition. They’re going to go from the Champions League to the Championship – mark my words.”
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “Another embarrassing defeat for a Scottish side in Europe. European Competitions arrive before our clubs have kicked a ball in a competitive match, so it's little wonder our recent European record is so bad.”
Old Firm report controversy
Meanwhile the report into the Old Firm shame game last season has sparked controversy. Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, said: “The SFA have acted very strangely regarding their notice of complaints. I understand notice of complaints to Rangers and Celtic for the crowd trouble, I understand Derek McInnes and Elliot Watt for speaking out but why on earth has Martin O'Neil escaped after two blatant comments regarding officials one suggesting regarding a blue card not involved in the game and the SFA have clearly compounded their status when it comes to no notice of complaint regarding two unfinished matches because of Celtic fans. Many positions within the SFA and SFA are really untenable.”
Rangers and Celtic fans trade barbs
Speaking of controversy, some Gers punters are in no mood to forget last season yet. Jamie Thompson, Glasgow, said: “I had to laugh at Liam Scales saying he was braced for the Rangers and Hearts title challenge. Why? Celtic already have Beaton and SFA in their pockets?”
Hoops fans might not be happy but they have warned Rangers not to get too cocky. Scott McAdam, Glasgow, said: “Caller Gary Stevenson can slag us off and smile the now, but wait to McInnes loses first match. He will go away and hibernate like the usual dough balls on the Hotline. Maybe they will finish second this year behind another poor Celtic team and then the tears and riots will start.”
World Cup expansion concerns
Finally, the World Cup could be about to get even bigger with FIFA chiefs considering another new format for 2030. But John Scott, Grassmoor, said: “Gianni Infantino is surely blinded by dollar signs with talk of 64 teams playing in six countries across two continents? Every country that kicks a football plays in World Cup qualifiers so his claim that finals would include more smaller nations simply dilutes the purpose of those finals. The game as we know it has lost the plot. £110m for a player moving between English clubs is just insane.”
Robert Livingston, Palm Beach, said: “Money is killing the game that was once a sport for the people. With eye watering player prices of over £100m, where's the money coming from? How long will it last before the bubble finally bursts and clubs go bankrupt?”
