Celtic return to pre-season training on Friday with no new faces, as fans grow increasingly tetchy over the lack of transfer activity. Martin O’Neill has yet to make any additions, and supporters are voicing their frustration.
Fans Voice Discontent
Kenny Wilson from Moffat said: "This pre-season is like almost every other. Rangers fans are full of optimism and already accusing everyone of being against them, while Celtic fans sit and wait for news about new signings, but deep down, they know nothing exciting will happen." He added: "One thing is for sure, Celtic won't get away with last season's levels again."
It has been nearly a year since Celtic spent significant money on a player. Gary Stevenson from Newtonhill remarked: "I cannot believe that with the transfer window being open for a few weeks now that Celtic haven't taken anyone on loan yet."
SFA Charge Sparks Debate
Hotline regular Chris Lowe accused the Scottish Football Association (SFA) of double standards after Derek McInnes was charged for his outburst over the Fir Park penalty controversy. Scott McAdam from Glasgow hit back: "So Lowe, who lives in denial, wants to moan about tainted titles. What a short memory and limited knowledge he has. We will give you one title for the eight that you cheated to win... not remember Chris? I didn't think you did. Put a sock in it and change the record."
Gerard Kelly insisted McInnes must accept his punishment if banned. He said: "Just reading a lot of reviews of Derek McInnes. Rangers fans are not happy, surprise surprise. At the end of the day, he made those comments because Hearts thought the league was in the bag. Now, see if you want to win the league, you have to play to the final whistle and win your matches. Hearts had many opportunities but never took them! That's the difference between Celtic and the rest! Blame yourselves for not winning your games, not everyone else."
Scotland World Cup Hopes
Gordon Ferguson from Kilwinning is already planning Scotland's route to the last 32 of the World Cup. He said: "I hope that the front and back pages of the Record are full of celebration today and Scotland qualify for the knockout stages for the first time. But I also hope it’s not tinged with Infantino's decision to include a back-door third-place finish, especially if we haven’t finished the group in any great style. So let’s hope it’s Mexico next then England maybe? Then we could be on the march, Viva Stevo's Army."
England Conspiracy Theory
Conspiracy theorist Charles Maxwell senses skullduggery from England after their goalless stalemate with Ghana. He said: "Call me paranoid, but England couldn't have done any more to harm our chances. Croatia will take something off Panama and then Ghana in their last game. That reduces Scotland's 3-point chance of going through by 14.3 per cent. It's looking more and more like we need a point off Brazil."
