After stumbling against St Mirren, Celtic came close to making a mess of their Motherwell showdown as Ange Postecoglou’s team scraped to victory. Of course the Hoops can’t be expected to maintain their blistering early season pace all the way to May. But there are a few Hoops fans growing concerned after Saturday’s disjointed Well display.
David Conway, Perth, said: “We were lucky to get away with that one. Had Callum McGregor not taken one for the team and dragged the Motherwell lad down late on it could have been another two points spilled. We’re letting Rangers back into this title race when it should have been a procession to the end of the season!”
David Bryce, Troon, added: "I don’t know what’s happened to Celtic since the Old Firm game but the football Postecoglou and his players are serving up just now is awful. We are a shadow of the side we were at the end of last season. When will the penny drop with Ange that Daizen Maeda is nowhere near good enough! Josip Juranovic is a headless chicken and far too slack. It’s simply not good enough!"
John Stewart, Newton Mearns, said: “Once again the Scottish media are turning a blind eye to the cheating ways of Celtic. Although McGregor was rightly sent off for his disgraceful cheating in stopping the Well player from scoring, he should be pilloried by all lovers of the game but no doubt he won’t be.
“It will be the usual clever foul, 'took one for the team' rubbish. Let’s also not forget the embarrassing dive from Joe Hart that was totally ignored by the officials. Embarrassing.”
While the champions were pushed close at home by Stevie Hammell’s team, Rangers had it all their own way in Edinburgh against 10-man Hearts. George Wilson, West Sussex, said: “So what now from loudmouth Robbie Neilson who was boasting in the week Hearts would beat Rangers. It was 4-0 going on eight.
“And why were Hearts supporters booing Rabbi Matondo when he was the victim of a career-threatening foul from Cammy Devlin? A few weeks ago we were hearing all conquering swashbuckling Celtic had already won the league as they never stop and have two players for every position.
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“Now they are reduced to committing desperate fouls late on to scrape home against lowly Motherwell and their squad players aren’t up to it. The league is far from over.”
Devlin also got his marching orders after a crude stamp on Matondo but Robert Pender was impressed with the way the incident was handled by the Ibrox manager, saying: “Gio van Bronckhorst showed a touch of class as he spoke some experience advice to the Hearts player.”
Hibs defender Ryan Porteous capped off a week to remember as he followed up his Scotland debut with a goal and the man of the match honours in Hibs’ 2-0 win over Ross County. And Kevin Lord, Drylaw , called in to ask: “How long before the derisory offers come in from the Glasgow firm for Ryan Porteous?
“The pundits should be equally worried, as this young man is more articulate and camera worthy than any of them. I hope he gets the real move he deserves.”
But it was another day to forget for Dundee United as new boss Liam Fox saw his side slump 2-1 to St Johnstone on his first official day in the job. Gloating Gers fan Alfie Mullin said: “Why are Dundee United being put through this agony? They should be put out of their misery. Relegate them now.
“After all there is no other outcome to their season. Why let their fans suffer another nine months? Let them choose a new manager, more importantly, a new board. However, as a Rangers fan, I am happy to see them squirm.”
