Rangers kicked-off their transfer business for mid-season with the capture of Fabio Silva.
The Wolves attacker has moved to Ibrox on a loan deal as Philippe Clement boosts his offensive options. Hotline callers have a variety of views of potential market moves and not all are convinced on the Ibrox move for Silva. Kevin Kean, Inchinnan, said: “His scoring record is appalling. Four managers at Wolves haven’t used him, he’s rarely even on the bench. £35 million is absurd. He makes Sam Lammers look like Karim Benzema.”
Neil Renton, Leith, continued: “If I was a Rangers fan, I wouldn’t be getting excited about them signing Silva, he’s been a flop at Wolves. The only thing he’ll add to the Ibrox side is competition with Todd Cantwell on the hair stakes.” Stephen Mulhearn sent a message which read: “Now that Rangers have been busy bringing in a striker with a seemingly huge reputation on loan, I’m now reading that Lawrence Shankland is close to agreeing a new contract. If that’s the case, I think it means they never had the funds available.”
Derek Morris, Stirling, said: “The answer is simple, sign Shankland and Rangers will win the league.” Robert Livingston, Palm Beach, said: “Another fine performance from Shankland, missed a penalty, but made up for it with a lovely goal of sheer class. He sets an example and makes a difference with goals like that. Scorers of his quality are rare. Hearts know they’ve got a one-of-a-kind scoring sensation they can get millions for, but want to keep as they’ve got no replacement. Probably Hearts’ best No.9 in 40 years.”
Jamie Thompson, Yoker, said: “If Rangers don’t sign Shankland and Celtic do, it will be a disgrace. Rangers really need a striker like him.”
Shankland’s midweek winner against Hibs drew comment from Rab Hunter, Dumfries, who surely had a tongue firmly in cheek as he said: “When are Hibs going to upgrade the away fan exits at Fester Road to the same standard as the home ones? At the final whistle, all home fans appear to have simply disappeared no problem while the away fans seem take forever to escape, it doesn’t seem fair?”
Over at Celtic, transfer business will also be done, but Chris Lowe, Yoker, said: “I see the usual suspects are now touting Matt O’Riley for a big money move It must be based on his 98th minute goal against the powerhouse of Motherwell as it sure isn’t for his European exploits where he’s been part of a Celtic team pumped all over Europe during his tenure. You’d have thought they would have learned their lesson after the £30 million Kyogo to Spurs debacle.”
Celtic and Rangers clash on Saturday and Paul Price, Glasgow, said: “I can’t be the only football fan that cringes every time Rangers fans talk about penalties? They now have a mindset that they have a right to one every game they play.”
Meanwhile, Doctor Robert Pender got in touch to discuss helping the referees with some simple chances.
Controversy surrounded Arsenal again during their loss to West Ham with the arguments over whether the ball had gone fully out of play in build-up to the opening goal for David Moyes’ side. He said: “I’m tired of VAR, let’s make it simple. Handball, a deliberate movement towards the ball to divert the ball, no more defenders defending with arms behind their backs. Offside, A clear body beyond defender, not a toenail. At present, a ball is in play when 85 per cent is out of play, so the same with offside.”
