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Scottish football needs a 'Secret Shopper' to 'shop' the coaches who shame the game.

The blustering buffoons who rant and rave and foam at the mouth from the sidelines have to be driven out and stripped of their tracksuits if our game is to advance.

They exist at all levels, but particularly in the younger age groups, their bullying, bug-eyed, foul-mouthed tirades, dressed up as motivational coaching, are a damaging disgrace which the SFA must stamp out.

Parents and the players are too frightened to complain about the bully boys, because the consequences are simple and chilling. The rule of the touchline tyrant has always been the same... "My way, or the highway".

Any attempt at reproach or discussion with the type of coach who screams, shouts and generally behaves like a former Eastern bloc dictator, is met with a ferocious response.

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The Scottish Football Association needs a revolution. It is time for an outbreak of democracy to ensure that the president and the board are voted into office by fans and clubs alike, instead of time-serving their way through to positions of ultimate power.

Those standing for office should have to provide CVs and a business plan before they seek to run our game. If you seek high office, you should be prepared to put on record what experience and track record you have to do the job.

And if you have none, you shouldn't be there.

You should also have to put up for public consumption your proposals for your time in office, outlining your plans for improving and bettering the game, both in terms of the football and financially.

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"Sports socks - three pairs for a pound," is a well worn sales cry at the famous

Soon it might be joined by another plaintive howl. "Get your season tickets here, going cheap, no reasonable offer refused."

The Old Firm are currently trying to entice punters to part with their hard earned cash, offering special deals on season tickets.

In the wake of the , times are hard and liable to get harder as far as extra revenue raising goes.

The spectre of falling crowds and income is a real and live issue for Celtic and Rangers both.

With Scottish coefficients likely to change in the near future because of poor European performances, the Old Firm duo could find their road to Champions League football much rockier than in the past.

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Is there an argument for the merger of Dundee's two clubs?

With and riding high in their respective leagues, the future looks bright for both, but could it be even rosier if the two city rivals combined their resources?

It was a fan who asked me the question recently in a spirit of openness and mischief-making. His other suggestion was that should join with to create a junior club.

Nevertheless, the issue is worth examining, because it's one that's often seen by those outside the city as a cure for some of the ills that afflict the two Dundee outfits.

There are pros and cons to the debate.

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