Celtic fans set new title record as Rangers and Russell Martin served bleak sentence by Hotline jury

Yahoo

2 days ago

It could be the earliest finish to the Premiership season ever.
September 1 would have to be a new record but - according to Celtic fans - that's when Brendan Rodgers' side will effectively be handed the trophy.
Because they'll have beaten Russell Martin's ropey Rangers to potentially go 10 points clear at the top of the table - before we've even had an international break.
READ MORE: SPFL would allow Rangers fixture postponement U-turn as St Mirren caught in middle of confusion
READ MORE: I know exactly what Auston Trusty is going through at Celtic so write him off at your peril
It's all hypothetical, of course, but after Celtic's win at Pittodrie and Gers slipping up against Dundee, the Hoops supporters on the Hotline are in confident mood.
And on the other side of the city, Martin is feeling the heat already.
In fact, some cocky Parkhead punters think the Ibrox gaffer might struggle to get into SECOND place.
First up, Gordon Ashley from Ayr said: 'Why are Rangers fans getting so upset? When you see their true position in Scottish football, last year Aberdeen were the champions' biggest challengers for silverware - and this year it will be Hearts.
'Celtic are more than double the size of their club and the glory days are over for Rangers, so get used to it guys.'
Eddie Eason, Ballingry, said: 'The boring Hotline caller, Alan Fleet, says he'd bet money on Celtic losing to the minnows his team have played.
'Really? That's why one bookie is already paying out on Celtic winning the league.'
Bud Hay, Dumfries, said: 'I don't see that other mob bragging much this season. After saying they'd win this and that - it's now very quiet at Ibrox. This is so easy for Celtic, I don't see us dropping many points at all this season. The gap is growing.'
Steven McSherry, Uddingston, said: 'With Hibs and Hearts in good shape, it augurs well for Celtic as we need a challenge to keep us sharp.
'With Rangers now a spent force in Scottish football we need others to provide strong competition.'
Stephen Johnstone from Ardentinny, at least tried to add a bit of humour - if you can call it that - by saying: 'What do Rangers' Premiership starts and peeling onions have in common? Ultimately, they both end in tears.'
Don't give up the day job, Stephen.
At Ibrox, all is not well after their home draw with the Dark Blues where fans made their feelings known towards Martin.
And he wasn't getting much Hotline sympathy either.
David Thomson from Milngavie said: 'Martin isn't helping himself with some of the things he's coming out with. He says Rangers are now unbeaten in five games but supporters don't want to hear that.
'If we lose to Celtic at Ibrox on August 31 and go 10 points behind, the league season will be over and the kids are barely back at school. That's not good enough.'
The Gers gaffer was cut a bit of slack by Drew Ferguson from Oban who said: 'Irrespective of whether you like or dislike Martin, he needs to be given time. New players are still trying to develop relationships on the pitch.
'What is clear is that Max Aarons isn't superior to anything we've already got. And Martin still needs a left-back, centre-back and striker.'
Elsewhere, Hearts have started the season on fire and - if Tony Bloom is to be believed - will mount a title challenge of their own.
Unsurprisingly, their rivals from across the city aren't having it.
Neil Renton from Leith said: 'Never mind Liam Gallagher having a go at Edinburgh Council - it can't be long before Hearts fans do the same.
'After all, how come they've not been allowed to have a parade after winning the league? Some might say the Jambos shouldn't get too carried away after just two games!'
Someone who won't get carried away, despite being on the verge of a massive move to Serie A, is humble Scotland star Lennon Miller.
The 18-year-old is on his way to Udinese where he'll join the likes of Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour and Lewis Ferguson in the Italian top flight.
Celtic were rumoured to be interested in Miller but one punter says that was never going to happen.
Stephen Mulhern from Dumbarton said: 'The will he, won't he Miller saga is reaching a conclusion as he heads to Italy.
'I don't agree this is a John McGinn situation for Celtic. The fact is, we have an abundance of talent in midfield and Miller would have been warming the bench. At this stage of his career, he obviously wants to be in a starting line-up.'