Celtic fans nosedive into Defcon 1 but one tells Hotline his immediate transfer fix

Michael Gannon takes your calls as the fever starts to build up ahead of Saturday's collision of the Old Firm giants

The Old Firm countdown is on and Celtic fans reckon they have a secret weapon in the ranks that’s like a young Michael Owen.

Mikey Johnston’s double in the Dundee win has fired him into the frame to face Rangers this weekend but some Hoops punters were worried about their side’s shooting boots. Stephen Mulhern emailed: “After witnessing Mikey Johnston rediscovering his form I’ll be amazed if Brendan Rodgers doesn’t unleash him against Rangers on Saturday. I compared him to Michael Owen when he burst on the scene years ago. His confidence is back and he galvanised the side to another level coming off the bench.”

Fraser Davison, Glasgow, said: “Just what are Celtic playing at in the striker department? Kyogo is misfiring, Maeda can't cross, pass or score, and no height up front is limiting our options. There is a ready made proven goalscorer available who would jump at the chance of joining the Hoops – Kevin van Veen. Get him in before someone snaps him up.”

Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “Celtic were still far too wasteful in front of goal against Dundee and that has to improve or we will pay the price. Yet again 23 corners and nothing to show for it. Two clean sheets to take into the Rangers game is a plus but I’m still not convinced by our defence and as much as taking corners is a problem, defending them is a big worry for Saturday.”

David Bryce, Troon, said: “Celtic were excellent and produced their best away performance of the season at Dens Park. Scales, Palma, Bernardo and Taylor were excellent. Mikey Johnston made a super impact from the bench also. My only gripe was the lack of goals in relation to our dominance and the woeful performance yet again from Maeda.”

Sunday’s penalty flashpoint at Fir Park is still up for debate after ex-ref Dermott Gallagher admitted Rangers were lucky to get away with one. The incident went straight into Conspiracy Corner – but there’s plenty for company.

Gers fan Steve Macleod, Wokingham, said: “Anyone born the last time Rangers had a penalty at Parkhead would now be a teenager. Are refs scared of the inevitable fallout an award would bring?

“The hype is so insane we now have an ex-ref and confessed Celtic fan ignoring two handballs, a pull on Dessers, a dive and a kick on the goalie to claim Motherwell should have had a penalty. Get your money on a Celtic penalty and a good Rangers goal chopped by VAR. Again.”

Meanwhile John Scott, Grassmoor, said: “What a hypocrite caller Gordon Hannah is. If it was a Motherwell player pulling back a Rangers player running into the box there's no doubt in everyone's mind, not just Celtic fans, that Rangers would get a penalty.

“Supporters of every club in Scotland could fill the shelves of Glasgow’s Mitchell Library with volumes full of examples of blatant bias towards Rangers by cowed officials.”

Back to the Old Firm trash talk and Hoops fan Paddy Gowans emailed: “Todd Cantwell’s ego is so big he must have trouble getting into the main gates at Ibrox. He couldn't get a game for Norwich so he joined our Mickey Mouse league along with the rest of these hasbeans."

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