The Famine Is Over - But Stupid Sectarianism Isn't

THE OLD FIRM has just been trumped, put in their place, telt tae shut-up – by Manchester United's outrageous re-signing of CR7. That deal knocks Graeme Souness's swoop to snatch Mo Johnson from the clutches of Celtic all these years ago into a cocked hat.

Now Cristiano doesn't come cheap, but, given the insane finances of the English Premiership, United will be able to afford his two-year deal. Many are questioning the signing of a 36-year-old, I feel this is a great deal for United.

That the Portuguese superstar is still turning it on in the top flight at his age is remarkable testimony to his love of football, his dedication and his fitness. Even if United were merely to use him off the bench for cameos, he'd be worth his mega-salary, for the effect he will have on others.

See the pictures of him, shirt off, at the end of games – that marvellous physique screams hard work. He's a big man, but his touch and control also screams hard work. If he can persuade, coerce or bully the younger United stars such as Pogba, Rashford or McTominay to go that extra mile in training; if he can say to them: “try this,” then make them do as he asks – the pay-off will still be being felt after he has departed.

I have long felt Ronaldo's greatest performance wasn't on the field, it was his single-handed cheerleading from the technical area, after he had gone off injured, which drove Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championships final, beating France 1-0 in Paris.

Injury took him out of the game after just 25 minutes, and with him, apparently, went Portugal's hopes. But, he prowled around the technical area, totally upstaging coach Fernando Santo as he coaxed and cajoled his team to an extra time win. He has never played better, answering all the allegations of being a prima donna one-man band, caring only for himself.

That part of the complex Ronaldo make-up will, I am sure, further burnish his already glittering reputation around the Theatre of Dreams. Like an old actor, given one final big role – this is Ronaldo's big Oscar chance, I think he will take it.

How about a PSG v United Champions League final – Messi v Ronaldo? It would be like putting Meryl Streep and Cher in the same Abba movie.

I KNOW I am in the minority on this singularly unimportant issue, but, I have always considered 'The Famine Song' to be one of brighter wind-ups in the twisted history of Old Firm fan relations.

• It doesn't half get the Celtic Family aerated and upset – Strike One

• It's a load of pish in any case, best ignored for the historical inaccuracies – Strike Two

• The parts which have a grain of truth strike a raw nerve in the opposition – Strike Three.

So, it provokes a reaction from the opposition – job done. Some have suggested, the ditty is anti-Irish, I don't think so, although it is certainly anti the cult of Plastic Paddyness, which you see in the West of Scotland. You know the sort of conduct whereby a Celtic supporter sees nothing wrong with at the same time: supporting Irish reunification; being word perfect in every “Rebel” song ever written; having a seat in the Directors' box at Celtic Park and, at the same time, one in the House of Lords; and being vehemently against Scottish Independence.

It's almost as bad as marching in support of the same Protestant Queen, whose government keeps you in poverty in the East End of Glasgow.

The Famine Song, indeed any “party song” on either side of the great Glasgow football divide, however, has no place in my view, in 21^st century Scotland. More so when we see footage such as was shown, of that group of fuckwits marching down a street in Glasgow singing it.

If ever there was a case for strong Police “kettling” of football fans and immediate arrest and incarceration of the offenders it was that. Mark my words, at some point, public patience with these out-of-control fans will snap, and a massive police crack-down will follow.

The club(s) concerned – for the other lot has its lunatic fringe too – have shown little desire to lance the boil on the public face of their club, beyond the odd welcome ban, when the media heat gets too much. The politicians bottled it, when they abandoned the Offensive Behaviour At Football Act, without an adequate replacement (and yes, I know OBFA was flawed legislation) but, footage like Sunday's does no good to Scotland. It cannot be allowed to go on.

Mind you, one of the problems with elimination is, there are still a good number of polis, many in promoted posts, who are not unsympathetic to Protestant supremacy and “keeping Timmie in his inferior place.” Again, this has no place in 21^st century Scotland.