AS every Monty Python fan can tell you: "Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition".
OK, in the wake of last week's European disasters, lots of people are looking, but still. Maybe it is time for a Scottish Inquisition - certainly nobody expects questions to be asked about the state and future for the national game, even at this time of deep depression and distress after last week's triple knock-out blow in the play-off round of the Europa League.
Sure, the fans' forums have been red-hot, the big-name sports writers have pontificated and postured, but, even allowing for the fact that knee-jerk reactions don't often amount to a hill of beans, a wee bit of reaction, of: "We feel your pain" from the "blazers" within the Hampden corridors of powers might have been expected.
Of course the managers, particularly Neil Lennon and Alistair McCoist, have been slap bang in the cross-hairs of the snipers' "rifles". That comes with the territory, it's one of the prices they pay for the kudos and big-money which comes the way of the two Old Firm bosses.
However, the guys who should be in the firing line will not be seen - these guys are the REAL power brokers: Craig Whyte at Rangers, Dermot Desmond at Celtic and Vladimir Romanov at Hearts. Romanov may speak in riddles, on the rare occasions he does communicate with the common herd. In any case, as a Russian oligarch, he doesn't do interviews, he issues proclomations.
Desmond also rarely comments on Celtic matters, he leaves that to Chief Executive Peter Lawwell, who is now also, of course, an SFA "blazer". Whyte, will maybe be allowed this season to bed himself in, as the very new owner of Rangers. There is already some unease about his ownership of Rangers - does he have the money it will take to freshen up the squad? What are his true motives? Even - is he a true Rangers supporter? These questions are being asked on the forums - but not in the press conferences.
Is there nobody among the serried ranks of the main Scottish football writers who is prepared to face-up to the real power brokers, the guys who actually own and run the clubs, rather than the front men who are installed as "team manager" or "first team coach" and ask them the hard questions?
Sure, we get sound bites from Messrs Regan and Doncaster, but what the fans, and I sometimes think some of my fellow journos, conveniently forget, these men (Regan and Doncaster) run the secretariats - the bodies which administer their leagues, the key decisions are taken by the club directors: Rod Petrie, Michael Johnston, Stewart Gilmour, Stephen Thompson, Stewart Milne, Geoff Brown and Co. We don't hear too-much on the big issues from these guys, unless it directly affects their club.
Sure, we get sound bites from Messrs Regan and Doncaster, but what the fans, and I sometimes think some of my fellow journos, conveniently forget, these men (Regan and Doncaster) run the secretariats - the bodies which administer their leagues, the key decisions are taken by the club directors: Rod Petrie, Michael Johnston, Stewart Gilmour, Stephen Thompson, Stewart Milne, Geoff Brown and Co. We don't hear too-much on the big issues from these guys, unless it directly affects their club.
It's not so much: why are we so bad? Don't give them the opportunity to fob-off the interrogator with platitudes and evasions - be specific, be insistent, don't be put-off, go for the jugular.
Why do we have to put-up with third-rate imports? Why do so few of our better young players fail to make the grade? Are you happy with your club's youth development department? If so, what are your goals for these kids?
Why have so many of the Celtic Under-19 team which won the SPL U-19 League been freed as "not good enough"? Even the fact that they have been allowed to leave - what does that say about the rest, the U-19 teams from the other 11 clubs?
Why was Ally McCoist allowed to recruit his ready-made American and Australian imports, when his home-grown kids had already this season shown themselves capable of playing a big part in beating the then league leaders? I mean, it's not as if Rangers are going to be involved in Europe this season.
Why have imports, who made no contribution last season been kept-on, rather than moved-on to create a vacancy in the squad which could have gone to a young, talented and hungry Scots boy?
When will someone ask that question of the men who run the clubs, rather than the managers they employ to handle the daily grind?
What is the strategic goal and plan for reaching that goal for our big clubs, our big league and our international side?
Why, when we have such a highly-regarded coaching course, is the standard of coaching within Scotland so poor?
It is time somebody asked these questions, and kept asking them until he or she got a credible answer?
It's time for the Scottish Inquisition.
Why have so many of the Celtic Under-19 team which won the SPL U-19 League been freed as "not good enough"? Even the fact that they have been allowed to leave - what does that say about the rest, the U-19 teams from the other 11 clubs?
Why was Ally McCoist allowed to recruit his ready-made American and Australian imports, when his home-grown kids had already this season shown themselves capable of playing a big part in beating the then league leaders? I mean, it's not as if Rangers are going to be involved in Europe this season.
Why have imports, who made no contribution last season been kept-on, rather than moved-on to create a vacancy in the squad which could have gone to a young, talented and hungry Scots boy?
When will someone ask that question of the men who run the clubs, rather than the managers they employ to handle the daily grind?
What is the strategic goal and plan for reaching that goal for our big clubs, our big league and our international side?
Why, when we have such a highly-regarded coaching course, is the standard of coaching within Scotland so poor?
It is time somebody asked these questions, and kept asking them until he or she got a credible answer?
It's time for the Scottish Inquisition.
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