Brendan Rodgers handed Celtic let off despite brutal Champions League reality as Hotline caller pines for Ange 'fire'

Craig Swan manned the phone as the fallout continues from Celtic's Euro exit.

Celtic remain a hot Hotline topic following their European exit.

The Parkhead side won’t have continental competition after Christmas due to their now-guaranteed last-placed finish in Group E of the Champions League. Manager Brendan Rodgers and skipper Callum McGregor have both spoken about potential squad strengthening in the January transfer window amid loud criticism coming over the club’s record abroad in recent years.

But Henry Moffat said: “The real Celtic fans won’t turn on the manager as this is not his team. The main thing is we win the league and claim another £40 million to take our war chest to £110 million and at the same time deny Rangers access to that cash. You will now see the manager start to spend it and build his own team. We are in the best shape in our history.” Stephen Mulhern said: “Rodgers was correct in saying the lack of quality is holding Celtic back when competing in the Champions League. However bringing in the players he’s referring to would rather test themselves in the English Premier League than play north of the border and, unfortunately, that will never change in the future.”

Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: “Celtic have to invest in quality, that’s where it gets harder. Do quality players want to play in Scotland where teams just park the bus? Or go out to kick and foul the better players? Celtic are stuck here, so they have to make the best of it.”

Paddy Gowans emailed: “Rodgers has got more chance of seeing a yeti than he has of the board spending big money in January.” John Rush, London, stated: “Reality beckons, Celtic got the easiest draw we could have hoped for and failed big time. We have not improved and, to be honest, I would rather have Ange’s ‘fire intae them and get beat’ outlook than the dour pass back, pass across and nowhere until we get caught routine and get beat borefest.

"At the moment, Rodgers has Kyogo so far detached from the rest of the team he needs hinges. This team has to sort itself out quickly. The only player who sort of put pressure on Lazio was Mikey Johnson, but his biggest problem has always been, injury prone and very little final product. I live in hope and trepidation.”

Kenny Goff said: “Here they go again. McGregor says Celtic deserve a win the final group game. They deserve nothing because, in the Champions League, they are rank rotten.” Alan Flett said: “There can be no doubt that Celtic are now the worst team ever to play in the Champions League. Rangers were poor last season but that was only one season, Celtic have been a laughing stock for the last 20 years. At least Rangers have proved that they can compete at Europa League level, Celtic aren’t even good enough to qualify for that competition.”

Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, took a similar tone and added: “To the Celtic fans slating Rangers getting beat against PSV Eindhoven and not making the Champions League, the joke is on yourselves as it looks like both PSV and Rangers may well be in Europe after Christmas.”

Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, is talking about Ibrox transfers and said: “Kevin van Veen’s back in the country. If the Rangers directors have any sense, they should be knocking on his door to get him for the rest of the season in the hope he can repeat what he did at Motherwell.

"Without doubt he’s a proven 25/30 goals a season man in the SPFL and that’s what you need to win leagues. Michael Beale never realised that's something his duo of duds Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers just can’t do and probably never will. Similar to Lawrence Shankland, it’s a no-brainer. With the service he’d get at Ibrox, it could rain goals.”

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