Ho Ho Ho .. and we hope you are all enjoying a stupendous festive period as Scottish football begins the countdown to the latest derby cracker.
It may well be the season of goodwill however the first Hotline since Christmas became severely lacking in kindness against referees.
Hamilton boss Brian Rice reckons Don Robertson become handing out presents to Celtic after awarding a Boxing Day penalty to the Hoops open the scoring in a three-0 win.
Callers agreed. however Willie Collum turned into also dubbed a turkey for failing to award Hibs a penalty in their 1-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.
Bias and refereeing conspiracies? You'd not ever guess the next Rangers v Celtic conflict become most effective a matter of days away.
John Bruce emailed: "After having to count on two ignored penalties to elevate the Betfred Cup, Celtic once again had to rely on the penalty spot, for a soft spot-kick, to elevate their spirits within the team's newest fight. handiest scoring three second-half goals towards a terrible Hamilton B team. Rangers beat Hibs 1-0, readily the foremost team they have performed within the league this season, to preserve their sixteen-factor lead.
"Nothing we've seen from Celtic this season means that they can shut that gap and stop 55, as time closes in on their subsequent large battle - Saturday's historic firm video game."
Gerry Milligan, Erskine, mentioned: "The Edouard penalty is baffling. He had already delivered the ball and three seconds later the defender related how is that a penalty? also David Turnbull should still were introduced two months in the past and maybe Celtic's difficulty would were less fraught."
Gallery: four Findings: Celtic 0-2 Ross County (read activity)
Chris Lowe, Yoker, brought: "Celtic's penalty was that smooth it mandatory Viagra. Don Robertson is obviously showing he's Kevin Clancy's apprentice with all these beneficial choices for Celtic so far in his brief profession."
but taking the opposite facet, Tommy McBride, Govanhill, talked about: "Do referees now not award penalties towards Rangers? it is three stonewallers this season. Hibs on Saturday and Motherwell and St Mirren. Is it any wonder why they have got so many clean sheets?"
Steve MacLeod, Wokingham, countered: "I'm bound there will be the usual hysteria over the possible Hibs penalty at Ibrox so right here's some additional aspects. Rangers should have had a penalty in the online game and Celtic have had a higher percentage of their goals this season from the spot than Rangers. You'd by no means recognize notwithstanding!"
Onto the football itself and Bluenose Alan McGaw, Alloa, become happy with his side's demonstrate against Hibs. He stated: "It changed into a tough fought game nonetheless it's the three facets that concerns in our quest to win the league. confidently Rangers could have learned from what came about originally of the yr."
however Jack Armstrong, Bathgate, had a message for Hotline ordinary Alfie Mullins: "Alfie referred to the Celtic trophy cabinet might be empty in 2021. Sorry Alfie however the trophy cabinet is already full to overflowing. we will should borrow certainly one of Rangers' unused ones."
Scottish football misplaced yet another icon at the weekend when legendary Dundee United boss Jim McLean sadly handed away on the age of eighty three.
McLean led United to their most effective ever desirable flight title in addition to a memorable run to the 1987 UEFA Cup remaining - beating Barcelona on the style.
Aberdeen fan Archie MacVicar emailed: "As a Dons fan i'm so sorry to hear of Jim McLean's passing but i am certain he'll be buried with Barcelona in his returned pocket. An absolute legend - I'm bound all Scottish football fanatics will agree."
And Jock Kirkpatrick, Cambuslang, observed: "Jim McLean turned into forward of his time. A grasp tactician, a disciplinarian however additionally with a good skill to identify and convey throughout the best young skill. RIP Jim."
finally, the pressure is constructing on Kilmarnock boss Alex Dyer after a fifth league defeat on the spin.
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, mentioned: "Billy Bowie has now over viewed two negative managerial appointments and albeit Alex Dyer needs doing away with. Kilmarnock have long gone backwards beneath Dyer and they can't score."
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