Saintly example is not hard to find

The football season may still be in its relevant infancy, but already there have been significant changes at both Dens Park and Tannadice. Csaba Laszlo cut a somewhat sorry figure in the Dundee United dugout and was finally axed after the Tangerines failed to make anything even approaching a flying start to their latest Championship campaign.

With promotion a must for the fans, most would agree the change was well merited, and there is already early optimism that his replacement, Robbie Neilson, is the right man to inspire his side to the summit of the second tier and, ultimately, a long overdue return to Scottish football’s top table.

At Dens, meanwhile, supporters have suffered a dire start to the season, with just one victory.

With the team at the bottom of the league, it came as little surprise when Neil McCann was relieved of his managerial duties. A swift appointment has been made, with Jim McIntyre the new man in the hotseat.

Hopefully brighter times now beckon for Dundee, too. However, there is one part of Tayside where tranquillity replaces the turmoil of Dens and Tannadice.

At McDiarmid Park, Tommy Wright’s long tenure at St Johnstone continues, with barely a blip or hint of controversy to blight his reign.

The managerial stability in Perth is a reflection of the solid way the wider club is run and managed.

It is an example the Dundee clubs would do well to follow.