Rangers should bin Gio NOW and James Tavernier is a joke of a captain – Hotline

Michael Gannon takes your calls as Rangers fans react to Euro misery and Celtic punters line up to take pot shots at their rivals

12:01, 02 Nov 2022Updated 12:08, 02 Nov 2022

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Rangers belt out Simply the Best before games at Ibrox but rival fans reckon they’ll need to get Tina Turner to record a new version after the dismal Champions League return.

Simply the Worst doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, but that’s where the Light Blues have been left after Tuesday’s Ajax defeat condemning Gers to the most wretched campaign in the history of the group stages. Celtic fans were on to gloat – while Gers punters played the blame game. James Kennedy, Kilsyth, said: “Time for Tina Turner to get back to the recording studio. Simply The Best? Rangers have just proved the opposite is the case.”

Tim Gibbens, via email, said: “We saw an intriguing contrast between two managers’ footballing philosophies at Ibrox. Alfred Schreuder’s Ajax side with their renowned ‘Total Football’ and Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers team with their record-breaking ‘Pointless Football’.”

Eddie Easson, Ballingry , said: “Rangers have been woeful this season with the same problems coming back to haunt them. Players not wanting to be there. An out of touch manager. A disjointed boardroom. Where has all the money gone?”

Alan Lough, Dunbar , said: “Instead of van Bronckhorst offering post-match excuses, a better idea would be to clear out his office and don't go back.” Jamie Thompson, Clydebank , said: “Van Bronckhorst has to go now. This is utterly embarrassing and Tavernier is a joke of a captain. Being the worse team in Champions League history is unacceptable. Rangers fans have been loyal but the board has to act now.”

Rob McNabb, Dunoon, said: “It demonstrates how poorly the player recruitment is – Ross Wilson out. Shocking signings for two years in a row and sadly Gio is struggling. You can’t perform like that, be turned over by Celtic and expect to stay in the job.”

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Drew Stewart emailed: "Gio has to go, along with Tavernier. Barisic and Arfield are slower than a brickie’s labourer with hud bricks on his shoulders and Ryan Kent couldn't go round two dummies in John Collier’s tailors shop. It’s time they where hunted – or should that be the board?”

Dr Robert S Pender emailed: Something is drastically wrong at Rangers. Players have been signed with long history of injuries and now 10 missing.

“The standard of player is the lowest ever and they need to start from scratch. New investment, change of board and ownership. Until this is addressed, no manager can be successful. Gio, walk away before your reputation is tarnished.”

Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “Rangers board must act now, make a statement to tell the fans what is going on. We need to know who wants out, the fans will not accept this lukewarm garbage for long and season ticket sales will suffer.Bad signings and lack of hunger all over the park. Something is wrong and we need to know.”

Scott Kerr, Knightswood , said: “That Rangers team is clueless and Tavernier is only good for taking the usual penalties. Celtic will destroy them in the remaining Old Firm games.”

But John Bruce, Glasgow , attempted a case for the defence and said: “Rangers massively under-achieved, through their dire displays alone. If even half of those injured players had been available the team would have given a far better account of itself.”

George Wilson, West Sussex , said: “Celtic supporters will inevitably be gloating but they also finished bottom and have been a total laughing stock in Europe for nearly 20 years, including being knocked out of Europe three times in a season.

Scott Gowers, Edinburgh , said: “Which team have at least won matches in Europe this season, even Hearts have this accolade to their name. Celtic may have got two points from their first five Champions League matches but which club was out of Europe before their last match?”

Meanwhile, George Fairgrieve, via email, said: “I had to chuckle watching James Tavernier ’s penalty against Ajax. Before he takes it, he does a wee dance like a schoolboy who’s needing to go… then, after he scores, he behaves like he’s won the game. Have some perspective.”

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