Rangers play for penalties and risky tactic will cost them the title to Celtic - Hotline

Rangers overcame toilet roll, tennis balls and eventually a tenacious Dundee to keep their title hopes on track in Tayside.

James Tavernier also missed a penalty in a game halted several times by Gers’ fans protests over the Sydney Super Cup.

But it was ref Bobby Madden who Hotline callers reckons should be put on the spot for the first half call.

Ian Melrose, Edinburgh, said: “How many times do we need to see Rangers given penalties that no other club get before we admit we have a problem with referees? I’ve watched Hibs for 30 years and we’ve never been awarded a penalty like the ones Rangers have been given against Dundee and Aberdeen. It’s an utter farce.”

John Caw emailed: “I tuned in to see what Rangers' penalty was for. You couldn’t make it up, if that’s a penalty then there should be penalties in every other minute of the 90. If they want Rangers to be champions again why not just give them it?”

Stephen Cameron called from Cyprus to say: “The reason that Rangers get more penalties than anyone else is not down to referees - it's an active part of their game plan. Maybe if their focus when in the opposition box was getting the ball in net and not looking for a penalty they wouldn't be behind Celtic.”

Giorgos Giakoumakis helped himself to a hat-trick as Celtic made it 31 domestic games unbeaten with a 4-0 thumping of Ross County.

And David Bryce, Troon, said: “It is looking likely that Gioukoumakis will be the man to take us to the title. What appeared impossible may be realistic thanks to the scoring exploits of a man who started slowly but is now showing why he was the top scorer in the Netherlands last season. His signing for a low fee may prove to be a masterstroke come the end of May.”

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