Scott Brown probably wouldn’t tire of watching Celtic ’s Scottish Cup Old Firm semi-final stroll after his man of the match display.

But footage of the first three minutes rather than his own performance could be of more importance to him when he appears at Hampden this week.

Hotline callers reckon Andy Halliday’s reckless challenge on Patrick Roberts early on would be the best case for his defence in his red card appeal.

Brown was sent off for a tackle on Liam Boyce at Ross County last week that would have ruled him out of Sunday’s meeting with Rangers .

The Celtic skipper was available after the club appealed the decision with SFA offices closed on Easter Monday which delayed his hearing until this week.

Celtic's Scott Brown was red-carded for his challenge on Ross County's Liam Boyce
Celtic's Scott Brown was red-carded for his challenge on Ross County's Liam Boyce

Brown underlined his importance to the champions but will miss out the second half of the derby double header at Ibrox on Saturday unless he is successful.

George Hamilton emailed: “ Scott Brown should take a clip of Andy Halliday’s tackle on Patrick Roberts to his SFA appeal on Thursday as it was worse than his at Ross County.

“And why didn’t Myles Beerman walk when he brought down Patrick Roberts shortly after he had been booked?”

Liam Higgins, Airdrie , said: “Scott Brown was stupid with his tackle in Dingwall that resulted in a red card but Andy Halliday’s on Patrick Roberts was worse so Celtic have every right to appeal.”

Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon , said: “What was the difference between Scott Brown’s tackle at Ross County and Andy Halliday’s at Hampden? Halliday went in like an express train and if it wasn’t so early in the game he’d have been sent off.”

Bud Hay, Dumfries , said: “Andy Halliday’s challenge on Patrick Roberts was a red card. It doesn’t matter if it was the third or 90th minute.”

John Coyle, London , said: “Referees must be told not to send Rangers players off. Andy Halliday and Myles Beerman should have walked and in the last game at Parkhead Kenny Miller and Jason Holt should have been sent off.”

Dave King was in the firing line following Rangers' Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic
Dave King was in the firing line following Rangers' Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic

The 2-0 win for Celtic was one of the most one-sided Old Firm games in living memory and Gers fans are calling on Dave King to hand Pedro Caixinha the funds needed to try and close the huge gap.

Ian Marshall, Wishaw , said: “A year ago Celtic were embarrassed into spending £2.4 million per annum on a new manager after losing to Rangers in the semi-final.

“After the Rangers performance on Sunday I can only hope the board are similarly humiliated enough to realise that astronomical investment and change is required.”

James Fleming, Paisley , said: “Why is Dave King getting such an easy ride? Rangers are no further forward since he took over and as a chairman he needs to be hands-on.

“When Fergus McCann took over Celtic he was there all the time. He didn’t know much about football but he knew business.”

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Jackie Stewart, Ardrishaig , said: “From chairman, boardroom., dressing room and court cases pending Rangers are an utter shambles. It beggars belief they appointed a manager without a track record who knew nothing about the club. He is out his depth.

“The performance at Hampden was an utter disgrace. The worst I have ever seen. I’m well aware the players aren’t good enough but it’s criminal when they don’t try.”

Iain Campbell, Rutherglen , said: “Celtic could have scored 10 on Sunday. If Rangers don’t get their finger out then it could be the same at Ibrox on Saturday.

“I went in with great hope after the 1-1 draw at Parkhead last month where we gave a good account of ourselves but we were torn apart from start to finish. There needs to be big changes.”

Brendan Rodgers and Pedro Caixinha at full time

Jim Kerr, Renfrew , said: “When Brendan Rodgers and Pedro Caixinha hugged at the end I think Brendan was just saying to him ‘You’ll have to get used to this, Pedro.”

James Coyle, Cumbernauld , said: “I had to laugh when I heard the Rangers Player of the Year awards were held in the Hilton on Sunday night.

“No awards should be handed out in a season where they scraped a draw against Celtic in five attempts and are languishing in third place, nine points behind Aberdeen.”

John Bruce said: “Pedro Caixinha can’t be blamed for having to use Mark Warburton’s players but he can be blamed for not learing from Waburton’s mistakes in Old Firm games.

“Just like Warburton, Pedro didn’t seem to get this fixture. He played the wrong team, made the wrong substitutions and Rangers were a total shambles.

“The concerning thing is that most of this lightweight, toothless team which lacks any creativity will still be at Ibrox next season as they are under lengthy contracts. Who would want to buy them?”

Some Hotline callers believed Pedro Caixinha just didn't understand the importance of the game against Celtic
Some Hotline callers believed Pedro Caixinha just didn't understand the importance of the game against Celtic

Rangers have their final chance to avoid a winless season against Celtic this season when they meet in the league at Ibrox. And Scott Brown, East Kilbride , said: “Rangers fans have to take the positives from the second half at Hampden. I just wish the games had been the other way around as the cup game was the most important of the two.”

Alan Lough, Dunbar , called in to hail Lionel Messi after his 500th goal for Barca and declare him the greatest ever. He said: “The debate is over.”

Short and sweet, like the great man himself.

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