Best Rangers manager fit splits the Jury as Celtic evidence condemns Aberdeen to brutal Scottish Cup Final sentence
Record Sport’s top team debate the big issues including the Premiership playoff final and the shocking scenes at first leg full time
Davide Ancelotti, Steven Gerrard and Russell Martin
It’s Scottish Cup Final day – are Celtic Treble certainties or can Aberdeen kill off Hoops hopes of another clean sweep?
ANDY NEWPORT : The form book suggests Brendan Rodgers will wrap up the silverware with goals to spare. Of course Aberdeen have a punchers chance but they will need a flawless performance against the Hoops – something they’ve come nowhere near managing in recent head-to-heads.
SCOTT McDERMOTT : It’s impossible to make an argument for Aberdeen. Jimmy Thelin will need to come up with a managerial masterclass just to be competitive at Hampden – and even then Celtic will probably be too good. Another Treble for Brendan Rodgers is inevitable.
(Image: SNS Group)
MICHAEL GANNON : It’s hard to make much of a case for the Dons. They have been so vulnerable of late and don’t react well to setbacks. It would need a silly red card to level the playing field but if Celtic turn up, they’ll stroll it.
READ MORE: Cameron Carter Vickers reveals true Celtic story behind viral Rangers darts troll as he pins the blame on teammate
READ MORE: Evan Ferguson lands new Celtic transfer pitch with Guirassy price ‘set’ as O’Riley ‘bid’ sends paydays into overdrive
SCOTT BURNS : You have to say Treble-chasing Celtic go in as heavy favourites. Aberdeen go into it on a poor run of form and have also lost their last four games against Celtic. But it is a one-off and anything can happen, as we have seen in finals across Europe already this season.
Steven Gerrard, Russell Martin, Davide Ancelotti – which of the managerial candidates is the best fit for Rangers this summer?
ANDY : Gerrard knows the club and the demands but given the way his recent stints at Aston Villa and in Saudi have gone, fans are right to be concerned. Martin offers a fluid, attractive brand of football and that might be enough to win over the sceptics who’ve seen their team stagger from one embarrassing result to another this term.
SCOTT McD : If it’s going to be one of those three, Gerrard ticks the most boxes. He knows the club, the league and the Old Firm goldfish bowl. He won’t be fazed by taking on Brendan Rodgers and – crucially – he knows what it takes to win a title at Ibrox.
Top Stories
1
Cameron Carter Vickers reveals true Celtic story behind viral Rangers darts troll as he pins the blame on teammate
2
Evan Ferguson lands new Celtic transfer pitch with Guirassy price ‘set’ as O’Riley ‘bid’ sends paydays into overdrive
3
Ange and Brendan can raise two fingers as well as trophies to Celtic scoffers but Treble is no formality – Chris Sutton
(Image: SNS Group)
MICHAEL : Gerrard knows the drill and would lift the fans. But Martin is an interesting one. His style of play could be ideal for a Gers side that’s struggled to break teams down in Scotland.
SCOTT B : I’d go for Russell Martin. He has had success as a manager and also plays a decent brand of football. Davide Ancelotti would be too big a risk and I’m not sure going back for Gerrard is the answer.
It’s all square in the relegation play-off. Has Ross County’s stoppage-time equaliser at Livi swung the tie back in their favour ahead of Monday’s return in Dingwall?
ANDY : I wouldn’t count Livi out just yet. They have experienced campaigners like Danny Wilson and Scotty Pitman down their spine and Davie Martindale remains one of Scotland’s most astute coaches. County have edged the play-off final two years on the trot but I suspect it will be third time’s the charm for the Championship hopefuls.
SCOTT McD : It should do. But Livi were the better team on Thursday night and you certainly wouldn’t rule them out in Dingwall. If County stick Jordan White up front with Ronan Hale performing, it could keep the Staggies up.
Livingston’s Danny Wilson celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0
MICHAEL : It was a late blow for Livi but David Martindale’s side looked the stronger and they have more of a cutting edge. I fancy the Lions to finish the job in the Highlands.
SCOTT B : Ross County got out of jail at Livingston. They now have home advantage and will be looking to make full use of it. Livi, though, have already won there this season and will believe they can do it again. I think the Lions might just edge it.
The first leg clash at Almondvale was overshadowed by another moment of shame in the stands – are we at the point where strict liability is the only answer to Scotland’s fan disorder crisis?
ANDY : The clubs can’t keep moaning about the behaviour of unruly supporters and yet do nothing about it. Some of the recent scenes – most notably the Jack McKenzie incident – have been outrageous and it’s about time SPFL chairman grew a backbone and brought in proper punishments to deter this nonsense.
SCOTT McD : That can be a dangerous road to go down. But the SPFL (the clubs) and the SFA need to work together to tighten up security at grounds and put measures in place aimed at improving fan behaviour which is getting beyond a joke now.
Don Cowie points out a Livingston fan in the crowd after a flashpoint
MICHAEL : We’re at the stage where something drastic is required as there have been too many shameful episodes across the country. Good luck getting strict liability past the clubs – as they know there’s a chance all of them would be hit at some point.
SCOTT B : We should have had strict liability in years ago but the clubs won’t vote for it. Until they do then clubs can’t take the appropriate action. We need to change the rulebook and get a grip of our game.
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.
READ NEXT:
Cameron Carter Vickers reveals true Celtic story behind viral Rangers darts troll as he pins the blame on teammate
Evan Ferguson lands new Celtic transfer pitch with Guirassy price ‘set’ as O’Riley ‘bid’ sends paydays into overdrive
Argos is selling cheap iPads fast in ‘lowest price ever’ discount
Amazon wireless earbuds that are ‘as good as Samsung’ slashed from £130 to £20
Ange and Brendan can raise two fingers as well as trophies to Celtic scoffers but Treble is no formality – Chris Sutton
Follow Daily Record
X (Twitter)
More On
Celtic FCAberdeen FCScottish CupHampden ParkRangers FCSteven GerrardRussell MartinDavide AncelottiRoss County FCLivingston FCScottish ChampionshipScottish Premiership
Up Next
Cameron Carter Vickers reveals true Celtic story behind viral Rangers darts troll as he pins the blame on teammate
Sport
all
Top Stories
Creepy Scots circus school teacher touched up students during trapeze lessons
Courts
Football fans to be given powers to stop clubs deserting local areas under new law plan
Football fans
Scots dad makes desperate attempts to save home from devastating fire
Motherwell
Scots family flee Crete after two earthquakes struck Greek island
Falkirk
Cops launch murder bid probe after Mark Richardson’s pal seriously injured in ‘machete attack’
Police Scotland
Second teen in court charged with murder after death of Kayden Moy at Irvine Beach
Courts
Dozen people slashed in Hamburg knife attack at train station as woman arrested
Knife crime
Baby shower descends into chaos after game “Would Mummy Rather” sparks fury
Kirkcaldy
Gary Neville banned by Nottingham Forest over ‘grudge’ as Sky Sports respond to demand for Chelsea clash
Nottingham Forest
Lay-Z-Spa hot tub with foot massager and LED lights has 25% off and is ‘great garden addition’
Amazon
Female pensioner dies after Shetland cliff fall as emergency crews rush to scene
Shetland
Mark Richardson’s pal ‘hit in skull with machete’ during attack at Edinburgh home
Be the first to comment