The Record Sport crew debates all of the major issues, including Celtic’s crucial Champions League clash versus Bayern Munich.
Will Celtic defeat Bayern Munich in two legs to go to the Champions League Round of 16?
Keith Jackson: Probably not. However, if they can give the Germans a bloody nose in Glasgow on Wednesday, they will be able to keep the tie alive heading into the Allianz. Daizen Maeda will be sorely missed in the opening leg, but Celtic may still have enough firepower to stun Bayern.
FRASER WILSON: Celtic, at full strength, can win in Glasgow on Wednesday, regardless of how powerful Bayern are. I see a score draw to hand over to Germany. However, over two games, the Bundesliga giants’ quality will be too much.
Andy Newport: It seemed quite unlikely. Despite Celtic’s remarkable performance this year and their unquestionable progress on the continent, Bayern are a level or two above where Brendan Rodgers currently has them.
SCOTT BURNS: It will be a hefty ask. Bayern Munich aren’t as dominant as they were in previous seasons, but they’ll still be strong favourites. Brendan Rodgers’ team has done admirably to get this far and will want to maintain that momentum going in Germany.
Will Philippe Clement survive this at Rangers?
KEITH: If he survives, it will be because he is working under a Rangers board that is not fit for purpose. Patrick Stewart may have hoped to avoid firing the gun, but the CEO must recognize that doing nothing is no longer an option.
FRASER: The Rangers board appeared to have given the manager their full support until the end of the season… but this setback could change everything. It’s a disastrous outcome, regardless of how much they controlled the game. The domestic campaign is gone by February 9, which is an indictment of everyone at Ibrox.
ANDY: He’s in big trouble now. The troubled Belgian has been leading the squad to the EL’s last 16 for some time, but the supporters have had enough of Clement and his stumbling side. He may stagger on while the board debates a decision, but the Ibrox legions have made their views clear.
FRASER: Put it in the garbage. Then, set fire to the garbage. We were assured that it would improve with each season, but it is actually growing worse. It’s painful to hear Willie Collum admit that his referees make mistakes every week.
VAR is harming the fan experience at games and costing clubs money with little return.
ANDY: I’m not against technology, only the way it’s used. I believe there have been some positive adjustments since Willie Collum took charge, but more are needed. If clubs are serious about fixing it, they should make sure the man holding the clicker work full-time.
SCOTT: I wholeheartedly agree that VAR should be eliminated! It has devolved into a pricey distraction, with our game and teams receiving insufficient value for money. Unless we can improve VAR, I would scrap it.
After pushing Hibs so hard on Friday night, is Scott Brown preparing Ayr United for the top flight?
KEITH: They definitely look the part. However, if Brown can guide this group to victory or the play-offs, he will need to be compensated for the quality required to maintain them in the top flight.
FRASER: Yes. Brown and Whittaker do an excellent job. It’s not like they’ve thrown money at high-profile athletes. They’ve turned a small group into a cohesive outfit, solid at the back with a goal threat up forward. It might not happen this season. However, under Brown, they have a good chance of becoming Premier League regulars.
ANDY: Scott Arfield and his new Falkirk teammates will not see it that way, but one thing is certain: everything is prepared for a spectacular Championship season finale.
