Getting Involved In Old Firm Whataboutery Is Never Clever

IN THE seemingly eternal game of “Whataboutery” between the followers of Rangers and Celtic, certain things are given or expected.

Whenever Rangers fans refer to their club's 54 Scottish League Championship victories, or claim to be followers of: “The most-successful club in the history of world football”, Celtic fans will reply with : “No, that team's deid, has been since 2012 – youse is a new team”. Similarly, when Celtic fans start complaining about some perceived injustice, the response will be: “Celtic FC, never defeated – always cheated since 1888”. And nothing anyone says will ever change this.

So, pardon me if I do not get excited about the latest outbreak of whataboutery and media conflict between the two clubs – the exchange of emails between Peter Lawwell and Stewart Regan, in the wake of the resolution of the “Big Tax Case” and the court case involving Craig Whyte.

 Peter Lawwell - this whataboutery is not his greatest moment

Because, in this case, I reckon the normally so-precise Lawwell has made a right tube of himself.

Basically, Peter Lawwell, Chief Executive of Celtic FC, is unhappy with a decision, or decisions, taken by the Board of the SFA – whose members include one Peter Lawwell. Now, this is not about football rules and regulations, this is about football governance, football politics if you like.

Well, there is a solid rule in politics – that of cabinet collective responsibility. Basically, if the Cabinet, which in this case the SFA Board definitely is - decides on a course of action, then, if you disagree with what is being suggested, you fight it with all you have, during the discussion. BUT, once the decision is agreed, you back it. If you still feel the decision is wrong, then you resign and fight it from without.

If Peter Lawwell felt the course of action the SFA Board had undertaken, and his view did not convince his fellow board members, he ought to have resigned at that meeting, made public his reasons for resigning then fought the decision as best he could from outside the Board.

The fact, he continues to be a member of the SFA Board – while protesting at a board decision – makes him look a very silly man.

Put-up, or shut-up is a good motto to live by. Presumably Lawwell put-up his arguments within board discussions, his views did not carry the day – he should now, if wishing to continue as a board member SHUT-UP, or RESIGN. He cannot have it both ways.

As I have repeatedly said, over the long course of the downfall and rebirth of Rangers, all sorts of mistakes have been made, by all sorts of different people, but, when it comes to the whys and wherefores of how the SFA handled the entire affair, and to what, if anything happens now. I can guarantee, Lawwell and Celtic will not get their inquiry or clarification of things – because to do so, would mean the SFA would have to acknowledge their failings and failures – and, that aint gonna happen any time soon.

WHAT a superb crowd that was at Murrayfield yesterday, for the Hearts v Aberdeen match. The published turn-out of 24,248, well that's a grater number than might have been accommodated, even if the new main stand had been ready for the game. With the new stand in use, Tynecastle's capacity will rise from last season's 17,000-plus to over 20,000; but, it would not have been 24,000-plus.

Action from yesterday's Murrayfield match

OK, there were special circumstances in-play yesterday:

• Craig Levein's return to the technical area
• A first chance for the Aberdeen fans to savour the new Queensferry Crossing
• New signings in action on both sides
• The novelty factor of watching football at the home of rugby

But, the great attendance does show, there is still an appetite for football in Scotland, and, if the game itself could only up their game when it comes to marketing and promoting football – who knows, we might well persuade a few more people we have a product worth watching.

Which brings me to another point I had been meaning to raise – the price of Scottish fitba. Some Tartan Army foot soldiers were less than impressed by the pricing structure put in place by the SFA for the recent World Cup qualifier against Malta. It does seem to me, the price the SFA expects the foot soldiers to cough-up to watch the national team is still a bit steep.

The product, it seems to me, is being over-priced by the guys setting that price. Maybe they should nip along to Murrayfield and have a word with their equivalents at the SRU, who, for all their perceived failings, have done a cracking job in marketing the Scotland XV in recent years.

I DID a good stint at the Paisley Daily Express, covering St Mirren on a weekly basis. There were some great days, lots of good days and, too-many bad days. But, the Buddies are a club to love, with some absolutely brilliant fans. So, I am absolutely delighted to see the Buddies at the top of the Championship this early in the season, and hopeful they will build on their great start and make it back to the top flight.

Dunermline v St Mirren - always a hard-fought match

This is a good season to be in that league, since there isn't a “big” club in there. Saints, Dunfermline and Dundee United are perhaps the three biggest side in there, so, hopefully Saints will kick-on and win the title. They go to East End Park on Saturday, and that is never an easy trip. A win there just might be the boost they need.