PREMIERSHIP FANZONE

Despite the loss at the weekend, fourth place was guaranteed thanks to results elsewhere and if Celtic continue to dominate that would bring a European place as well. The team, I’m sure, will want to finish third so two big games remain.

Last week, it was amazing that Derek Mcinnes received punishment from the SFA for reacting to ongoing sectarian abuse, while the abuser went uncensured. I’m not sure if the SFA understand the concept of victim blaming.

What the decision meant, however, was that Celtic fans clearly felt their behaviour had been condoned by the SFA and again at the weekend directed their vile behaviour at our manager. It’s difficult to fault their logic as certain fans continue to act in this way and the authorities continue to stay silent. I’m glad we did it with a bit of style in the end. We had the title in our own hands and again this phenomenal group of players delivered.

A football club that only measures itself by the number of trophies won has the soul of a broken elevator and while I understand that I’m lucky, the numbers never mean a thing. It’s all about the legacy and memories; numbers are just chronology for history books. These players have a legacy and deserve all the plaudits they get. More substance than style but when you look at the circumstances of the season you need to let them off.

I’m hoping some players get a break this week as we only have one important game left. That legacy isn’t worth risking for meaningless parochial battles. Clearly, Dundee are not acquainted with the works of Dylan Thomas, as they failed to rage against the dying of the light and succumbed to our inevitable relegation from the Premiership. The lack of any fight, absence of passion and abundance of nerves in the squad meant it was no surprise that we failed on Saturday to improve our appalling home record.

It also resulted in a toxic barrage of abuse aimed at the manager by an irate home support. Reports that Jim Mcintyre may survive and be given the summer to rebuild the team are scarcely believable. His record, tactics, team selections and signings all scream failure, and his position is – in the eyes of fans – untenable. The club hierarchy must recognise where the fault lies and clear the decks . Well, that was pretty good. An excellent performance by Accies at the weekend provided the result we wanted. We’re not safe yet but have the satisfaction of being the team who delivered the final blow to Dundee. All the media hoo-ha about their relegation has been deeply satisfying but there’s no time to feel smug. There is still much work to be done and Brian Rice will have made that clear to his improving team.

The big test comes on Monday night and it’s probably good for us that St Mirren cannot afford not to win. Hopefully, their nerves will let them down and we can get something from the game. That would be a fine reward for the way that Brian Rice has turned the team around since his appointment. All roads lead to Paisley on Monday. It should be a cracker.

Gilbert Mowat