Sectarian chanting is "a Scotland problem", not just Celtic and Rangers
Peter Martin, Gordon Parks and Hugh MacDonald discussed sectarian chanting, mental health in sport and Celtic's meeting with Celta Vigo.
By PLZ Soccer,
On The Journos, Peter Martin, Gordon Parks and Hugh MacDonald began with sectarian chanting in Scottish football. The panel argued that the issue reaches well beyond Celtic and Rangers. Two lines framed the discussion: "It happens every week" and "it's a Scotland problem".
The panel considered how chanting can be policed, whether it has got worse and how far it extends across every ground in the country. They also examined the role of algorithms and the "Saturday afternoon bigot", and the idea that "everything is binary now". The conversation covered why supporters would act to protect their families. One verdict offered little optimism: "I don't think it will ever change."
The good in the game
The panel also pointed to the better side of Scottish football, with Ardrossan Winton Rovers and Armadale held up as examples. Dukla Pumpherston's charity game was also mentioned.
Mental health in sport
Mark Allen's interview prompted a discussion of mental health in sport. The panel's view was that "sport is absolutely brutal", and that "when it's over, there's no parachute". The support available through psychologists, chaplains and PFA Scotland was discussed, and Cyriel Dessers and Kasper Høgh were also raised in that section.
TV rights and the wider game
The SPFL's TV rights from 2029 and the BBC Scotland channel were on the agenda. The panel also discussed bite-sized football, the Premier League's falling figures and how newspapers have changed. Further afield, PSG v Barcelona was described as "like a game of basketball". That led into a discussion of the best coaches in the world, taking in Hansi Flick, Luis Enrique, Guardiola, Ancelotti and Klopp.
Europe and the Premiership
On Celtic v Celta Vigo, the assessment was stark: "I can't see them getting anything." Hearts' trip to Trabzonspor was discussed in terms of whether they could save face. Brendan Rodgers, Dortmund and Vrancken also came up.
Closer to home, Steven Pressley was the name discussed when the panel turned to the best manager in the Premiership. Gordon Strachan at Dundee was also raised. The episode closed with Rangers and Derek McInnes, whether the side has become a bit more streetwise, and the managers under pressure this weekend.