Fuming Hotline callers turn Rangers heat on Michael Beale with Celtic accused of VAR mind games in derby fallout

Celtic came out on top in an explosive first Old Firm game of the season and the pressure has been turned up on Rangers boss Michael Beale.

Ibrox fans pointed to the disallowed Kemar Roofe goal but the gaffer is right in the firing line after going down to a makeshift Celts side. Gordon Hendy, Ochiltree, said: “Whilst we were robbed of a perfectly good goal, it doesn't disguise the fact that Michael Beale has brought in a batch of new duds who haven't improved the team one bit from last season and who were beaten by a poor Celtic team. The board have a big decision to make in terms of 'stick' or 'twist' with the current manager.”

Robert McNab, via email, said: "We are nine games into the season and I have seen enough. The manager told us he was signing players for the first XI. Only Butland and Dessers started, Sterling was only playing due to the Barisic injury. We weren’t good enough last season and we have got worse since then.” Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, admitted: “James Bisgrove must already see that Beale is under severe pressure. I wonder if it’s better to speak to another manager already, and simply get rid of Beale.”

David Joseph, East Kilbride fumed: “Todd Cantwell has so much to say for himself but he offers little in return. Dives about, always arguing but produces very little. He looks like the archetypal spoiled brat.”

Alan Rae, via email, conceded: “Why did Beale give McGregor the freedom of Ibrox, everybody could see after the first ten minutes he was running the show yet no-one at Rangers had the brains to stay close to him. Do they not know anything about the game of football?”

Roofe’s strike was ruled out for a foul on Gustaf Lagerbielke in the build up. But Mark Smith, Cumbernauld, said: