By Scott McDermott,Sports Hotline

Copyright dailyrecord

Sometimes there’s just no escaping the wrath of the Hotline . It doesn’t matter who you are. Russell Martin , Brendan Rodgers, Willie Collum – they’ve all been getting it in the neck. No-one is immune to criticism which, given the fact we’re only five games into a new Premiership season, might seem a tad harsh. But that’s Scottish football for you and, let’s be honest, we wouldn’t want it any other way. Martin and Rangers were always going to cop it given their disastrous start to the campaign. Quite what the Celtic boss has done to deserve a dig is anyone’s guess. And as for referees chief Collum, well he must be used to it by now. Anyway, let’s start with the indefensible over at Ibrox and their under-fire gaffer. Phillip Borland, Glasgow , said: “So Martin is hurt by getting roasted by Rangers fans about his coaching. What does he expect? A bunch of roses for making Rangers the worst team in the world? “He’s a joke of a manager who hasn’t got a clue what he’s doing. He should walk away before he does any more damage to this team.” Peter Cooperwhite, Glasgow , said: “So Russell is feeling hurt in a difficult situation? We’ve been hurting since the day he became manager. No supporter wanted him and that hasn’t changed. “He’s saying he’s still the man to get us through this bad period. But there’s more of a chance of us going through a black hole in space with Captain Kirk.” David Thomson, Milngavie , said: “Words from Martin mean nothing now. It’s all just waffling when he can’t win a game. “He was appointed to win a title for Rangers but the league’s over in mid-September. If he goes out of the League Cup as well on Saturday, there’s no way back for him.” And Jimmy Mac, Glasgow , said: “Just like Martin, Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell must go immediately. They know nothing about Rangers FC, Scottish football or club management. All three of them were more or less sacked from their previous clubs. How they all ended up together at Rangers beggars belief.” Granted, any stick Rodgers on the other side of the city is getting is nothing compared to his under-siege Ibrox counterpart. But ahead of the Hoops’ cup quarter-final against Partick Thistle, Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “I read Rodgers saying he misses playing Thistle but I hope those words don’t come back to haunt him. “That was one of the biggest upsets ever when Celtic lost 4-1 to the Jags in 1971. My worry is he’ll experiment with the line-up on Sunday. If he does, it could be a costly mistake.” It wasn’t all bad for the Celtic gaffer. Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon , said: “If the Parkhead board have a glimmer of ambition and want to give fans a massive lift, get Brendan Signed for the next few years and let him sign some quality players in January. They need to start behaving like a top club again.” VAR and refs rarely get out of here without a mention and after Celtic’s late penalty call which got them a winner at Kilmarnock last weekend – Collum and Co are in the firing line again. Chris Lowe, Yoker , said: “Killie boss Stuart Kettlewell says a precedent has been set over the highly contentious penalty Celtic got. “But sadly we know that only one team in the league gets that decision. He’s right to seek clarification from Collum but John Brown called it spot on at the end of last season – there’s simply no point.” Meanwhile, Kevin Lord from Drylaw , said: “Once again Scottish football is showing its farcical side, where some teams have VAR for the league cup quarter-finals and others don’t. “Surely a level playing field has to apply? If one game doesn’t have it like the Kilmarnock v St Mirren tie – none of them should.” In a sea of negativity, let’s try and at least finish on a positive note. With both Old Firm clubs looking vulnerable, some people reckon history could be in the making this term. Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny , said: “Rangers are struggling and Celtic are relying on dodgy VAR calls to scrape a result. “I can see Hearts or Hibs causing a huge upset in Scottish football this season by ending Celtic’s dominance. Or at the very least pushing Rangers out of second place. “Genuinely, one of them could do what Leicester did a few years ago in the Premier League and get their name on the trophy.”