Alan Hutton has sparked fresh debate among Rangers supporters this week. According to Record Sport, the former Ibrox defender believes no Celtic player would make Rangers’ current starting XI.
The claim has reignited the debate over the Rangers vs Celtic lineups. It came through the Record Sport Hotline report, where supporters from both sides of the Old Firm shared their views.
It also follows Hutton’s earlier comments, covered in our piece on his initial lineup claims. His latest assessment has once again put the focus on how the current Rangers squad compares with Celtic’s.
Hutton Claims No Celtic Players Make Rangers Starting XI
Hutton’s assessment is his personal view. It was relayed through the Hotline column, rather than presented as an official statement or independent ranking.
Record Sport framed it as Hutton’s own opinion on the current gap between the sides. Even so, his comments have fuelled another round of debate over the Rangers vs Celtic lineups. Supporters from both clubs have been quick to make their own cases.
Record Sport Hotline Triggers Fan Backlash Over Raskin
The Hotline has become a battleground since Hutton’s comments emerged. Rangers supporter Alan Flett offered one of the sharpest responses of the week. He was replying to another caller who had questioned Nicolas Raskin’s form and rated Celtic’s Arne Engels more highly.
Stephen Mulhern, you really do talk utter nonsense! Raskin was the best Belgian player at the World Cup, whilst £25 million man Arne Engels couldn’t even make their squad. Aye, Raskin is really overrated! At least you have the balls to front up, unlike your fellow chuckle brothers, Ashley and McAdam. The silence from those two clowns over the last fortnight has been deafening.
Mulhern, from Dumbarton, also responded to Hutton’s original comments. He told Record Sport that Celtic remain a “wounded animal” and suggested Hutton’s remarks could eventually come back to haunt the former Rangers defender.
Goldson Opens Up on Frustrating 2024 Ibrox Departure
Connor Goldson has revealed his frustration at how his Rangers career ended in 2024, telling reporters he felt he didn’t get the send off he deserved after leaving Ibrox. Record Sport’s report on his comments sparked another wave of Hotline reaction. Supporters split between those who feel for him and those who think he waited too long to speak out, and Newtonhill reader Gary Stevenson was among the sceptics.
It’s funny how many ex-players crawl out of their holes to get press coverage when either of the Old Firm are doing well. Connor Goldson is the latest, a good player who tried to hold Rangers to ransom for more money. His attempt failed, and he moved on and hasn’t been heard of since. Now he wants to tell anyone interested that it was he that was treated badly.
Not every caller was as harsh, though plenty of supporters still have sympathy for how Goldson’s time at Ibrox finished, after years of service to the club. The debate shows how much scrutiny still follows former players once they speak publicly about their exit. Our analysis on tactical balance looks at how the defence has evolved since he left.
SPFL Fixture and Officiating Fallout Ahead of Next Round
There’s also frustration elsewhere in the Premiership this week, after Laurent Mendy had an early goal for Hearts against Kilmarnock, ruled out for handball. The decision left Dumfries’ reader, Rab, questioning the SFA’s consistency.
Once again the SFA attempts to defend the indefensible! Can they please advise exactly where in the rule book it states an own goal can be disallowed due to an accidental handball because I can’t find it, or is this just another on-the-spot made-up rule? The actual ruling for such an incident was clearly spelt out down south when an identical situation arose, so are the SFA finally confirming what many have thought for long enough, that we have different rules, particularly for certain teams?
Elsewhere, Scott Gowers criticised the SPFL for handing Celtic a home Premiership fixture against Hearts to round off the season, though other readers pushed back. They pointed out that the top six sides are each guaranteed nineteen home games under the current split format and argued the fixture list simply worked itself out that way.
The fallout adds to a busy week of debate covering team selection, a former player’s exit and fixture scheduling, with plenty left to argue about before the next round. Fans wanting the confirmed team news can check our coverage of the Glasgow derby selection from Ibrox Stadium.
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