Celtic penalty conspiracy hits the Hotline as Willie Collum sent SOS amid escalating VAR wars

Aberdeen and Rangers go head-to-head in a mouth-watering title clash at Pittodrie on Wednesday.

Champions Celtic are looking to take advantage of dropped points by nearest pursuers with a win over Dundee. Hibs and Hearts are still scrapping near the foot of the table after frustrating starts to the term. However, on the Hotline, it seems discussions about European football remain high on the agenda with people being dug out. One call about Celtic’s draw with Atalanta in Bergamo last week still seems to be raising debate.

Al Beattie wasn’t happy at Rangers fans claiming Celtic parked the bus in Italy and used Rangers’ goalless draw with Barcelona in 2007 as reference. But Alan Flett said: “For anyone to try and compare Rangers v Barcelona with Celtic v Atalanta last week is beyond belief. That Barcelona team were one of the best of all time, even Real Madrid parked the bus against them. Atalanta are a diddy league team.”

Alec Morrison added: “Al Beattie, funniest thing I’ve read in a long time, well short time as you seem to think 17 years ago was a short time ago. It’s good to know than in the past 17 years no-one has said we play anti-football, so onwards and upwards for Rangers.”

It is Celtic who lead the way in the title race going into this midweek round of fixtures following their Sunday victory at Motherwell. Luke McCowan was among the stand-out players for Brendan Rodgers as they triumphed 3-0 at Fir Park and Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, was full of praise for the ex-Dundee star.

He said: “I was concerned that, with Callum McGregor missing in midfield, Celtic would miss his influence. But McCowan stepped up to the plate magnificently and for the transfer fee paid looks like a absolute steal.”

The Edinburgh derby