Michael Beale showed Rangers are running scared of Celtic with one quote and his also-rans have no chance - Hotline

As the clock ticks down towards Sunday's Viaplay Cup final, Rangers boss Michael Beale has been accused of making excuses before a ball is kicked.

The Light Blues gaffer admitted the result against Celtic won't have any bearing on the work still to be done at his club and it hasn't gone down well. Paddy Gowans emailed: "Motormouth Beale is running scared before the cup final by saying if Rangers lose to Celtic it doesn't burst their bubble. Beale is living in a bubble if he thinks his also-rans can lift the cup."

Chris Lowe, Yoker, emailed: "As Sunday's final approaches, spare a thought for Kilmarnock who were robbed out of a final place with yet another big decision going Celtic’s way with the non awarding of a penalty or refusing to consult VAR in the 92nd min. I hear the bookies are not taking bets on a Celtic player getting carded in the opening 45mins as it never happens."

Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, emailed: "The best way I can explain penalties awarded to the Old Firm is that the guy I worked with told me Rangers had over the years been awarded a certain amount and Celtic were not far behind. I said to him, 'tell me how many they had when they needed them?'. He wasn't happy."

Arrin Geddes, Irvine, emailed: "I don’t really know what the point of Hotline caller Gary Stevenson’s 'running away' comment was but maybe he could share his thoughts on Steven Davis, Allan McGregor, Steven Whittaker, Sonny Aluko, Kyle Lafferty and John Fleck among others. Unlike Super Ally, they did run away."

Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, emailed: "It's unbelievable that Kemar Roofe is injured again as something's not right with him. What's the point of putting him back on the park? In the old days there were no substitutes at all.