Latest news with #CraigSwan
Daily Record
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic are petrified of Rangers American Revolution as 49ers told transfer they must make for starters
Craig Swan manned the phone and it was anything but a quiet Sunday morning Excitement continues to grip Rangers fans with the takeover complete and the anticipation of better times ahead for their club. The investment from the United States and the prospect of a new manager being appointed has captured the imagination of the Light Blues punters. Celtic are the team to catch, but the Ibrox supporters who contacted the Hotline think that's going to happen quickly. Joe Graham, Garrowhill, said: 'At last the takeover is complete. Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers are now ready to take Rangers back to the top where they belong. "The east end of Glasgow must now be dreading the thought of what's to follow. First bit of business will be naming a new boss. "I hope he will have a bit of Scottish knowledge. £20 million has been quoted as the first investment to start with. Therefore we will need some shrewd free signings to start the new incoming players. " Lawrence Shankland should now be a must for starters to fill his boyhood dream. "He is the best striker in Scotland and will score the goals needed to topple Brendan's Bhoys. Looking forward to enjoying this happening.' George Wilson, West Sussex, added: 'So let's hear it from the usual anti-Rangers brigade on here who will inevitably be trying to come up with every possible reason why the Rangers take over will fail. "They fear the new regime will put Rangers back on top in Scotland and continue and improve their success in Europe. "Unlike the Celtic camp, who can I remind you, wrongly boasted of a cup final victory, world records and a treble before they actually won it. "I will boast of nothing and only say a completely fresh start with a new manager and board and a cash injection can only improve Rangers.' Gordon Ferguson, Kilwinning, said: 'A group of men have a chance to build something incredible. Go forth the 49ers. It's time to lay the ghosts of the white and green era to bed. Let's make Rangers great again, Time to rump Celtic.' William Ellis said: 'All we hear is Celtic this or Celtic that. As football goes, this season Rangers have beaten Celtic, so it's not the mighty Celtic that Rangers need to worry about, it's other teams in the division. "Rangers have proved they can more than match Celtic in a head to head. Therefore, don't worry about Celtic. Focus on teams who have beaten you last season and all will be fine.' However, Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, sounded caution as he said: 'People making wild predictions are easily carried away by this takeover, but are 49ers just using Rangers as a project? Throw peanuts to buy players. "Being a realist, you'd hardly buy one world-class player for £20 million. Rangers threw that amount away on duds Lammers, Danilo, Dessers and Igamane. The reality? £50 million bringing world-class players is what Rangers need for success. Graeme Souness did it in 1986.' Across Glasgow, Celtic fans seem unperturbed by the events. Lance Little, Erskine, said: 'So that's another £6m in Celtic's bank account after Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool deal. "Add the £46 million from a successful Champions League run and 55,000 season ticket renewals and the futures looking bright. Apart from that, we are Scotland's most successful team.' Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, is looking at transfer business and said: 'With Brendan Rodgers no doubt weighing up a incoming striker, I hope it's came to his attention that Girona are seemingly willing to listen for offers for Bojan Miovski who was always a thorn in Celtic's side in Aberdeen colours. I'd still prefer Kyogo to return, but Miovski is a player Rodgers knows well and would be an excellent acquisition.' Thomas Seery added: 'A certain regular on the Hotline really wants to give it a rest about Kyogo Furuhashi returning. ' Stripping the gloss back, he had one good season when Jota was flying. He scored three goals in 22 Champions League games, which Adam Idah equalled after eight.' Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rangers new manager hunt intensifies as Celtic diehards say Ancelotti will 'crack like the others'
Craig Swan took your calls as the Italian's credentials to get the job at Ibrox are assessed Rangers' hunt for a new manager continues to dominate the Hotline. Ibrox chiefs are seeking a full-time replacement for sacked Philippe Clement and it's a saga which is attracting much attention. Rangers supporters are keen for answers and there's also some wondering why it's such a bone of discussion amongst Celtic fans. Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs, said: 'If Davide Ancelotti lands the Rangers ' job, I hope that he will have been made aware that it will put him in the spotlight relentlessly every day, his every decision and statement scrutinised. 'That pressure has cracked several Ibrox managers, who have left the club the worse for wear after being unable to endure those pressures which come with every poor result. Maybe he will be the exception and grow into being the miracle worker Rangers need if they are to get the monkey of Celtic off their back.' Lewis Fotheringham, Mount Ellen, said: 'Rangers appointing Ancelotti as our next boss is a gamble we cannot afford to take, considering it didn't go so well for Pedro Caixinha or Michael Beale in recent years. 'Gerrard was a gamble that eventually came good. but that took three years. We can ill-afford to wait that long for success again.' John Spence, South Ayrshire, said: 'So the hunt continues. It's starting to remind me of 2021 when Celtic spent all summer chasing Eddie Howe, who eventually knocked them back. Left scrambling, they had to grab whoever was available, in the shape of big Ange. Of course it worked for them, but it was as much about luck as judgement. 'Rangers' circumstances are different, they're not focusing on one individual. But if we're to have any chance of competing with Celtic next season, with the amount of work that will entail, we need a new manager in place now. We simply can't afford to leave this appointment to a last minute lottery.' Kenneth Hutton said: 'Do all of the Celtic fans that plague the Hotline realise that the dross from the upmarket side of Glasgow have the same Old Firm results for last season. Two wins, two draws and two losses each. Rangers have only to buy a couple of quality defenders and we will not only compete but win the title next season.' Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: 'I wish that the Celtic Crew would stop speculating about the next Rangers Manager. Dry your eyes boys, please no more tears. Tiny Tears McGregor and Co will be put out of their misery soon.' Alan Flett said: 'How amusing to hear Celtic fans jumping to the defence of their greetin' faced captain. Who cares what he's won? He's a bang average player in a bang average team. As for their precious Kyogo making a return? Bring it on! He's yet another bang average player who couldn't hack it outside the Gallowgate doss house.' Dr Robert S Pender said: 'I forecast Brendan Rodgers will move on by Christmas due to the gaining power that Rangers will have. He is already looking for an escape.' Elsewhere, John Scott, Grassmoor, had a view on the merits and set-up of the play-off system and said: 'Hibs have failed twice in the play-offs. 2014 relegated and 2016 where we failed in a bid for promotion. 'Rangers too failed to gain promotion in 2015. Three ties the majority lapped up by cheering on the underdogs of Motherwell, Hamilton and Falkirk. No offence, but who but their own fans got excited about County v Livi? 'Gates of 2653 and 4550 is a million miles from the 50,000 that watched AFC Wimbledon v Walsall in the EFL2 Playoff Final at Wembley. 'There's no great interest if our smaller clubs are involved in Scotland. Can we not consider relegating three clubs. A proper battle to avoid relegation and an exciting, fairer fight for promotion from our Championship. Games we will all want to see.'
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Clueless Celtic trigger hilarity as red and blue join hands to rip a Hotline big mouth for getting something right
Craig Swan was the man on Hotline duty and callers had plenty to say after Celtic's Scottish Cup final defeat at Hampden Celtic fans are looking ahead to the squad alterations for next season as they come to terms with losing out on the Treble. Aberdeen's Hampden win has stoked some fires within the Parkhead punters eager to see what the plans are for the reshaping of the squad. Brendan Rodgers is set to freshen things up and Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: 'If we had won the Scottish Cup, we would have celebrated even though we were poor on the day. As much as it was a sore one, it only makes us stronger next year.' Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: 'No complaints about losing. Celtic were clueless and played right into Aberdeen's hands with their slow negative football which has been the norm for the last third of the season. Hardly putting any crosses in the box. But the squad needs investing as too many players are not good enough. You can't win all the time, but losing in that fashion is not acceptable.' Barriemore Barlow, Dunbartonshire, added: 'Quite a lot of comings and goings are needed. The midfield is very thin, just the same five rotated all season. Money needs to be spent.' Plenty of opinions on the game and the outcome are still coming, though, as Gerard Milligan, Renfrewshire, said: 'Daizen Maeda has spoiled his season's legacy after all his plaudits. Firstly by not giving Johnny Kenny a tap-in against Rangers and ruining the Treble chance by shooting straight at Dimitar Mitov in closing moments.' Michael Emonds, Northampton, said: 'Jimmy Murray says Brendan Rodgers could be trying to work his ticket by the way he has Celtic playing, so the answer is simple sack coaches John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan, no mention of our three most experienced internationalists having nightmares. Kasper Schmeichel 113 caps own goal, CalMac 63 caps and Alastair Johnston 53 caps missed penalties. Kennedy has been involved in the coaching staff under four managers for the last 33 domestic competitions winning 24 a win ratio of almost 73 per cent. Any coach in the country would love stats like that.' Anthony Curran said: 'I actually dozed off during the game trying to stay awake watching Rodgers' boring slow defensive build-up that then leads to more cross passes on the edge of the box getting nowhere. He has to go.' John Davidson, Isle of Bute, said: 'As the sun sets on another amazing season of twists and turns, there's only one song to cover it & the song sung by Meghan Trainor. It's all about the bass and no treble.' Gary Stevenson, Newtonhall, said: 'I never thought that I would say this, but we should have listened to Gordon Ashley when he stated at the beginning of the season that Aberdeen were Celtic's main threat. Well done Gordon. It just shows that even a blind squirrel finds a nut now and again.' Ashley responded: 'Rangers fans are grasping at straws taking glory from Aberdeen's cup win, I'm actually happy for the Dons. It's good for Scottish football as they are our third biggest club and needed a trophy, Celtic and Aberdeen have both had great seasons, while Rangers are a laughing stock once again. So I would pipe down if I was them.' Robbie Wood said: 'Talk about entitlement. I notice the Celtic had to dismantle a big stand they erected to welcome home their Treble winning heroes. It would take a heart of stone not to laugh.' Sean Beech, Hampshire, said: 'Probably time to acknowledge Mr Flett's comments on mediocrity. After all, if anyone was going to be an expert on watching it, it would have to be a Rangers fan.' Graham Taylor, Airdrie, said: 'It was great to see the celebrations in the UK and Europe by celebrating football fans all week. This has to be a priority for GCC and Police Scotland to sort out going forward. They have 12 months because come May next year my beloved Rangers will be having one almighty party when we celebrate the Treble. The party is over for the Eastenders and it's about to start for the Teddy Bears.'
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Rangers ridiculed for sole trophy win as Celtic diehard points to stadium shambles that played key part in gong
Craig Swan manned the phone and it was a busy start to the final week of the Premiership season Premiership nail biting is for the bottom of the table in the final week with the title race already sorted out and Celtic champions. So, in the interests of keeping the Old Firm bickering going, attention turned to Europe on the Hotline. Alan Flett was first to get involved with some comments on the continental action over the course of this term as he said: ' Celtic only managed to beat Bratislava, Young Boys and a mediocre Leipzig side. If you honestly believe that any of those teams are better than Lyon, Bilbao, Fenerbahce, Spurs or Man Utd, then you are seriously deluded.' Chris Lowe, Yoker, added: 'I take it caller Ronnie McAulay has been out drinking with Alan Brazil if he thinks Celtic could have won the Europa League. "Celtic haven't won a European knockout tie in over 20 years, have won twice away in 35 years of the Champions League and can't even beat a poor Rangers team.' Michael Emonds, Northampton, had a response for the previous caller as he said: 'Chris Lowe is whinging about Rangers goals that were legitimately cancelled by the match officials, no mention of the multiple penalty claims Celtic have had knocked back, check them out on YouTube, they're farcical.' Now for general tit-for-tat. Alfie Mullin, London, said: 'Rod Stewart said he wants Simply The Best to become a Celtic anthem. Let him sing it then and it will be called Simply The Worst.' Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: 'I had to laugh at Celtic's warning to Newcastle for the up and coming friendly. The message was that Celtic do not do friendlies. Strange how recent defeats to Rangers and St Johnstone were bracketed in the dead-rubber file.' Paul McArdle, Gourock, said: 'Rangers won pitch of the season. Let's conveniently forget they spent the first two months at Hampden. Still, at least they won something.' Robert McEwan, Glasgow, said: 'It happens at a lot of grounds, bottle throwing. When it happened to Celtic against Rapid Vienna, we were punished with a replay and the player wasn't even touched by an object thrown, yet this incident at Ibrox well and truly swept under the carpet.' Neil Renton, Leith, said: 'Well done to Rangers fans for turning up to Ibrox in fancy dress. How else can you explain that against Aberdeen loads of them were dressed as blue seats?' Scott McAdam added: 'It was great to see the Ibrox phone box full. Aberdeen had a bigger support there. So much for claiming they are well supported and I take it they will now be world beaters again. I think the phone box will be there for a while yet.' Tam Bain, Desborough, had a word about Aberdeen after that 4-0 away loss to Rangers and said: 'Have you noticed the Dons results against the Old Firm away? We don't get beat 1-0 or 2-1, it's nearly a hiding every time. Obviously something is wrong. "I may be the first to say Jimmy Thelin is not the answer. He needs replacing for someone who comes across as not a goody two shoes. Get annoyed, snarl, swear and get decent defenders that don't fall to pieces when someone scores against them. Fed up.' As regards affairs at Tynecastle, Francis William Jackson said: 'One question for the Hearts board. Why the Kilmarnock manager? He is no better on results this season than the man you sacked. Had a purple patch at Aberdeen then? For God sake show a bit of ambition and get someone who will improve the club. Someone not on the management roundabout.' Jim McClean, Rothesay, said: 'Derek obviously thinks his time at Killie is up. Well just go Derek and let Killie get someone who get us playing football again instead of a big punt up the pitch, it's been boring all season and clueless tactics at times. Don't be taking Stuart Findlay and Danny Armstrong etc with you, just go ASAP so we can get a more attacking manager in now. Goodbye.' Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Laughable Rangers lyric sums up a fading force as Celtic fans warn Hotline they'll be bumping more than Tina
Craig Swan answers your calls as the big debates in the fallout of Sunday continue to rage on Controversial fan behaviour and actions remains the major topic to dominate the fall-out from the latest Old Firm clash. Rangers and Celtic drew 1-1 in a game that meant nothing in terms of the title race with Brendan Rodgers' team already crowned champions. However, some of the antics inside Ibrox before and during the game continue to draw heated comment and criticism. William Hutchison, Aberdeen, said: "I'm a Celtic fan and that fan for displaying 66 at the game disgusted me. 'Real fans pay to watch the team and don't get involved in vile messages with banners, etc. I hate people losing their jobs as it affects their families, but I hope Rangers do the same with whoever threw the bottle and who were all involved in the banner. Hopefully BOTH sets of fans wake up and see us not worth losing your job over.' Arrin Geddes, Irvine, said: 'The guy who embarrassed himself and Celtic on Sunday will quickly be identified and punished. How will the Rangers deal with the thousands involved in the awful tifo? It seems the Everyone Anyone campaign might not be working.' Scott Mcadam, Glasgow, said: 'Who's going to call the Ibrox club out for their fans' disgusting behaviour once again? Viljami Sinisalo getting pelted with all sorts and what about the Rangers sub who ran on to take the glass bottle of the park thinking no one saw him. What a clown. And to finish it off, what about the disgraceful banner. If you want to take animals to football, stick them in a cage.' On other less-serious matters, G ordon Ashley, Ayr, was amongst one or two who were amused by the songs played out the tannoy system. He said: 'Sunday's game ended in a draw, but there was definitely a winning moment on the day. The sight of Celtic fans singing and dancing as Rangers and their fans belted out Simply the Best in honour of Scotland's greatest club was the most hilarious sight I have seen in years. We now own their anthem.' Alex Russell added: 'Only they could play Simply the Best at the stadium of also rans when the true champions Celtic took to the field. Then, when the game was over, Follow Follow played with the line: Celtic know all about their troubles. You really have to have a laugh at their expense.' In terms of the football that was on display, there was commentary made about the position and work of both clubs. Michael Emonds, Northampton, said: 'Jimmy Murray says it's total panic anytime Rangers put the ball into the Celtic box you'd think someone had thrown a grenade, so the answer is? Sack the serial winning coaches as the players are fine? 'If we still had the likes of Marc Rieper, Paul Elliot, Virgil van Dijk or Johan Mjallby to choose from, would there still be panic? No chance, the coaches can only work with the players the club signs, you can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear.' Thomas Seery had a response for another of our regular Hotline correspondents as he said: 'Stephen Mulhern equating Celtic's dip against Rangers to Kyogo Furuhashi leaving. That's just coincidence and I'm sure you're giving Stade Rennais fans a good laugh. 'He isn't capable of scoring the type of goal Adam Idah scored. Shame we didn't win it by Daizen Maeda not squaring to Johnny Kenny in the last minute.' On the Rangers manager front, Michael Lawrence, Anniesland, said: 'Glenn Mitchell doesn't rate Mr Gerrard as a potential manager at Rangers due to his lack of success. His team haven't beaten Rangers in 90 minutes the last twice they met with Mr Ferguson in charge or twice previously under Mr Clement. The former not rated for a permanent role, the latter sacked.'
