Dealing with the Dougie Dougie effect

The international break can be a time to take stock of what is happening domestically.

To that end, I would strongly recommend that you read this forensic piece on Celtic by Numbers.

Alan Morrison is the antithesis of the copy-and-paste commandoes on the Stenography Corps.

His work is evidence-based and thorough.

Dear reader, this is what the Fitba Fifth Estate looks like.

Several people who work professionally in the game have told me over the past couple of months that Ange’s team, since the world cup, has been nearly flawless on many occasions.

Which is probably just as well when you factor in these inexplicable disturbances in the Motherwell Triangle.

First, there was the Jota offside decision last November and the recent shitshow when Sevco were in town.

Alan put it in his understated style, which lends force to the message:

“However, what we have seen this season are two highly unusual occurrences in SPFL games at Fir Park that put doubt in the mind of a reasonable person as to both the competence and partiality of the officiating.”

Next season FSR will impose serious downsizing on Sevco.

That is why they’ve got the spin out there rather early.

Quite simply, Sevco will be forced to cut its wage bill in order to comply with the new regulations on sustainability.

No such restrictions will be imposed on Celtic who are not on a UEFA watch list.

With that in mind, the Dougie Dougie effect must be ramped up to keep the playing field uneven.

It was ever thus.

However, as the Parkhead outfit pulls away financially, it is getting more difficult for the favoured franchise to keep up.

This is another salvo from Celtic and its commercial partners.

I’m told that they’re flying out the door and yet another boost to what is considered football income under the new FSR ordinances.

Sevco cannot compete with this financial juggernaut across the city now that UEFA is imposing sustainability.

Consequently, there will be a greater need for local officials to play their part.

As Alan has pointed out, that will probably make it more noticeable.

After all, the SFA does have previous when it comes to the club formed by Irish immigrants.

If this is all ill-founded, then in order to build trust, you must first remove doubt.

The idea that Dallas Junior is involved in any match involving Celtic or their eleven-year-old rivals is risible.

It would be an unthinkable scenario in England.

Fairness and the appearance of fairness are crucial to any sporting occasion.

The compliant silence on this matter by the Stenography Corps is yet another piece of evidence that they’re not fulfilling the task of the Fourth Estate.

Apparently, holding power to account is not for the invertebrates on the sports desks.

The only unknown in this is what Celtic will do about this.

Have they just priced in the Dougie Dougie effect?

Someone should really ask the new club chairman.

That’s the same chap who claimed never to have seen the Five Way Agreement.

Yeah, him…