For the 42

I was sitting at my desk this afternoon, scrolling through Twitter when I saw the following STV Sport account tweet: “No action to be taken by SPFL over Old Firm sectarian songs and banner”.

I sighed, but I wasn’t surprised. And I’m sure you weren’t either. It was all so predictable wasn’t it?

It was noticeable that most of the fans of other clubs felt the same way. We’re so conditioned now that it barely elicits a reaction.

I won’t pretend that I’m particular au fait with the Old Firm songbook but there’s no doubt in my mind that what I heard and saw on television last Sunday would have seen sanctions imposed against any other club.

By not taking action, the SPFL and the SFA (“it’s nothing to do with us”) have waved the white flag. These two clubs are above the rules. Some things are too big to deal with. It reminded me of the J. Paul Getty quote: “If you owe the bank $100 that’s your problem. If you owe the bank $100 million, that’s the bank’s problem.”

We’re now in a position where the rules aren’t being enforced when every man and their dug can see there’s been a breach. It does beg the question: why have the rules if you’re not going to take action when they are so flagrantly disregarded at the ‘showcase’ event of the season so far?

It got me thinking and frankly I’m fed up. I’m fed up for a number of reasons.

I’m fed up that I can’t choose to have a drink with pals at a game because of a riot in 1980 and numerous subsequent instances of those fans being unable to behave themselves. I’m an adult; I’d quite like to be treated like one when I pay adult prices to attend football.

I’m fed up of a television deal that’s skewed towards two clubs and makes the rich richer. I’m fed of a TV deal that is precipitated on the idea of four Old Firm games a season.

I’m fed up of incessant media coverage that could be accurately described as ‘fawning’ even on a bad day (incidentally, does anyone else in Scottish football think that Inter training at Murray Park is in any way the biggest sports story in Scotland today?)

I’m fed up of everything being seen through an Old Firm prism. I’m fed up of ‘Rangers men’ and ‘Celtic men’.

I’m fed up of situations where top six fixture lists are determined with the prime motive of avoiding trouble, not maximising excitement.

I’m fed up of the arrogance to demand extra away tickets then turn their noses up at another clubs when they have the temerity to ask for the move to be reciprocated.

I’m fed up of our national stadiums having a ‘Celtic/Rangers’ end.

I’m fed up of two clubs bringing the game into disrepute by constantly indulging in a fantasy that they’ll somehow be invited to participate in the English league.

I’m fed up of non-Old Firms celebrating a trophy with a parade being seen as a novelty (on the basis that such a move in Glasgow would be deemed provocative by the other side).

I’m finally I’m fed up because partly it’s our own fault. It’s our chairmen that allow them to do this. Who talk of Scottish football as if it’s some sort of 1970s industry in a state of ‘managed decline’. Chairmen who rely on four home Old Firm visits a season instead of trying to arrest that decline and do something about it. I’m fed up of chairmen who have meekly flown a white flag and acquiesced to their every whim.

You won’t find a bigger advocate of Scottish football than me and the rest of the guys on this site, yet structurally something has to give. Scottish football is sometimes brilliant and could be a lot more often. However, for that to happen there needs to be a realisation that there are 42 clubs who make that possible.

Scottish football won’t prosper until it is run, not for the benefit of two Glasgow clubs, but for the 42.

By Duncan McKay