Celtic beware as Hotline descends into savage troll job and Rangers' version of Joe Wicks is in the firing line

Nicolas Kuhn has barely had time to try his Hoops top for size but already Celtic’s new signing is at the centre of an extra large rammy over his ability. The German winger sealed a £3m switch from Rapid Vienna on Tuesday and won’t be risked against Buckie in today’s Scottish Cup tie.

But that’s not stopped pundits and punters having their say – with Sunday Mail Sport columnist Hugh Keevins even getting it in the neck simply for repeating what a less than complimentary Austrian football expert had to say about the winger on radio.

Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: “Why is it that Hugh Keevins only talks about Celtic? Hardly ever a word about Rangers. Now he’s picking on signing Kuhn. He fails to mention that Rangers haven’t bought a player yet. One loanee who has played a handful of games in previous years?” Davie Kirkpatrick, Glasgow, said: “I can only guess the fact every fan and his dog wants a say on Kuhn before he’s even kicked a ball is because he’s the only signing of any note in Scotland so far. Give the lad a chance. His football will do the talking.”

Sticking with Celtic and Michael Emonds, Northampton, said: “In Saturday’s Hotline Paddy Gowans said he didn’t understand all the hype surrounding Matt O’Riley as he couldn’t lace Paul Lambert or Stiliyan Petrov’s boots in that position. He’s only comparing the lad against two of the top midfielders in Europe on their day! Why not go for broke and say he’s not as good as Bobby Murdoch and Bertie Auld – that’s how ridiculous the comparison is.”

But Joe Sneddon emailed: “Oh how far certain Celtic fans have fallen. Out of the League Cup at the first hurdle, out of Europe before Christmas yet again but they want bragging rights because they’ve signed a player and Rangers haven’t, yet. It’s embarrassing.”

Livingston boss David Martindale admitted Lions star man Joel Nouble was on the verge of a move, with Record Sport later revealing Exeter City were leading the chase. But Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, has other ideas. He said: “It’s rumoured that Joel Nouble could leave Livingston for an unnamed Premiership club. It doesn’t take much to guess who. Rangers are in pursuit of Lawrence Shankland and should the striker leave then Hearts would need a replacement. Watch this space.”

Meanwhile Connor Goldson lifted the lid on his new health kick that’s seen him ditch the fast food in a bid to serve up more silverware at Ibrox. But Fraser Davison, Glasgow, said: “Rangers’ health nutritionists jackets must be on a shoogly peg now that the diet guru Goldson has found the answer to improving his health and fitness levels. Cutting out the junk food and eating less sweeties, who would have thunk it eh? He’s the new Joe Wicks of Ibrox. Pity he couldn’t have shared this epiphany with Alfredo Morelos.”

Alfredo Morelos

Rangers Women edged the Old Firm Sky Sports semi final with a 3-2 in and Irwin Houston, Giffnock, said: “Congratulations to Rangers’ Women on reaching the Sky Sports Cup Final. A fantastic performance and a great result. Hopefully another trophy for the Ibrox cabinet.”

Finally, Alan Flett hasn’t been impressed with the quality on show in the African Cup of Nations. He emailed: “I totally agree with Hotliner Gary Stevenson. The AFCON is utter dross and I can’t understand why any football fan would want to sit through any of it. I can only assume that the high number of EPL players involved, is the reason why Sky TV are so desperate to show us this rubbish. If that’s the case, it’s a poor advert for their precious EPL.”