It was a pulsating 90 minute battle at Ibrox full of drama and the Hotline was just as busy in the aftermath.
Rabbi Matondo was the hero for Philippe Clement as his stunning leveller grabbed a share of the spoils in a six-goal thriller as the title fight between Rangers and Celtic continues to excite with the race looking like it will go all the way to the wire. It was a game that had it all with six goals, VAR flashpoints and pundits hitting out. Fabio Silva was branded an 'embarrassment' and told he 'cheated' by Chris Sutton while Neil Lennon wasn't having any of the Clement penalty verdicts who he said was talking 'waffle'. Unsurprisingly, the Portuguese attacker was the centre of attention amongst our callers alongside man in the middle John Beaton.
John Caw, emailed: "John Beaton was right first time. Tom Daley Silva dived, gets booked which was right as he was diving from the first whistle. But it gives him opportunity to get his team back in the game."
Stephen Mulhern echoed his views. He said: "I was worried when seeing the starting line up that with McGregor not starting Celtic would struggle to come away with any points. However the turning point in the match was Silva's dive for the penalty that his fellow countryman of the past Nuno Capucho was renowned for going to ground so easily. Rangers will crumble in the next match at Celtic Park with our home support and once again they bottled it in a must win match."
Kenny Wilson from Moffat, said: "No surprise then John Beaton done his utmost to keep Rangers in the race with a ridiculous penalty decision. Only in Scotland can such blatant cheating be rewarded in the biggest games of the season. But Celtic are a far better team than Rangers and without missed chances could’ve been five up at half-time! No surprise from the fans that missiles were thrown at our dugout but nothing will be done about that either. Can’t wait for the next meeting at home with a full strength team we will destroy that overrated team."
Benjamin Clarke, Balornock, said: "What pantomime show is Silva in next? Absolutely brilliant diving and rolling all over the pitch."
Steve McSherry, Uddingston, added: "I cannot believe we only drew with Rangers in the Glasgow derby. We really need to hammer sides when we are so far in front. Of course, they got an unbelievably soft penalty as we all expected but we should have put the game to bed in the first half. Having said that, it’s very much advantage Celtic now as it’s in our own hands and we can only give it away."
Tam Williamson, Lanarkshire, said: "John Beaton lived up to his reputation when he awarded his beloved Rangers a penalty that was an absolute joke as EVERYONE witnessed. But Rodgers' decision to defend a two-goal lead in the second half when Celtic were more than capable of scoring a barrel load beggars belief. But all is not lost as Celtic will win the league in the last Old Firm game at Paradise. That is an absolute certainty."
It wasn't a complete Beaton onslaught with Paul Jenkins of Falkirk left very impressed by the man in the middle. He said: "Think John Beaton was impeccable under immense pressure, got all the big calls correct and although Rangers can feel hard done by with the Dessers goal being disallowed a draw was probably a fair result with Celtic dominating the first half and Rangers the second half."
On the game itself, Rangers' full-time celebrations didn't go down well with Paul McCardle of Gourock , who explained: "Rangers players doing a lap of honour having secured one point out of six at Ibrox with zero Celtic fans present is major embarrassment. Deflected goal and a penalty for a blatant dive will not stop Celtic who will win the remaining six games for three-in-a-row."
Jimmy Murray from Edinburgh shared a similar opinion to the previous caller stating: "Last time I saw a team and fans celebrating a draw like that was Ronny Deila’s Celtic team against a pathetic Inter Milan side. That was pathetic as well. I honestly couldn’t believe what I saw. A lap of honour for a draw. Strikes me as unbelievable desperation."
The final meeting at Celtic Park for many will decide the destiny of the title, but not Barriemore Barlow of West Dumbartonshire who expects BOTH sides to drop points elsewhere, stating: "I disagree about the opinion that the next game at Celtic Park with be the decider, both teams I feel will drop points probably to Kilmarnock and or Hearts before we can say for sure."
John Davidson, Kirkintilloch reckons we are going all the way in this title fight, he said: "What an advert for Scottish football, a game of two halves, from Celtic running away with the first 2-0, to Rangers 'second half sensation of 3-1, finishing 3-3. The title race will go to the wire."
