IF anyone was feeling a chill as a result of the severe winter weather which enveloped the country in the past week, the hot air that emanated from certain sections of Scottish football should have warmed them up nicely.

Condemnation of the behaviour of unruly fans. Declarations that alarming scenes would be investigated and punished. Proclamations about what should be done to deal with the problem going forward. Everyone and anyone, it seemed, had their say on issues which continue to blight our national game.

Fair play to Celtic. They acted swiftly and decisively after their Scottish Cup fourth round game against Stranraer at Stair Park, a match which was screened live on television across the United Kingdom, was marred by a handful of halfwits letting off flares and smoke canisters and belting out sectarian songs.

The Herald:

The Parkhead club identified and suspended some of those responsible for the worrying events in Wigtownshire and released two strongly-word statements – including one in conjunction with their official supporters’ organisations – in the days immediately after the game.

Yet, am I alone in finding the fallout to these frequent flashpoints fairly wearying now? Indeed, just a fortnight before Rangers had stressed they remained committed to “eradicating all forms of unacceptable behaviour” after The Billy Boys was given an airing in their Championship match with Hibs.

The SPFL board, too, vowed to discuss the thorny topic at a board meeting tomorrow evening. But will anything of consequence arise out of those discussions? So much is said on these matters. Very little is actually done. Certainly nothing which makes a tangible difference. It is time to be proactive not reactive.

The possibility of having a serious look once again at introducing strict liability legislation was floated by Stewart Regan, the SFA chief executive, at the Scottish Cup draw at Hampden last Monday. It was a worthwhile suggestion.

Yet, given that only a few of the association’s 93 member clubs backed a motion proposing the adoption of more severe measures at their annual general meeting in 2013, is there any chance of that ever being approved? It seems highly unlikely.

The best bet would be the SPFL toughening up the existing system – where clubs escape punishment if they can show they have done everything possible to prevent inappropriate conduct – so that fans can see their actions are damaging the club they purport to love. Handing out fines would be a move in the right direction.

AND ANOTHER THING

Mixu Paatelainen remains convinced Dundee United are capable of avoiding relegation despite falling 14 points adrift of Partick Thistle, Hamilton and Kilmarnock at the bottom of the Premiership table on Saturday.

Quite what gives the Finn confidence that his side can remain in the top flight given how they are performing is anybody’s guess. The ease with which Celtic scored four goals against them at Tannadice on Friday night was startling.

Paatelainen would be well advised to rethink his formation. The 3-4-1-2 formation he currently favours is clearly not working. A strong defence is the foundation upon which any successful team is built and at the moment the United backline is porous. Sean Dillon, Gavin Gunning and Ryan McGowan looked decidedly uncomfortable with the set-up.

The new manager, who only took over from Jackie McNamara in October, has brought in a fine keeper in Eiji Kawashima. But the experienced Japanese internationalist needs far greater protection from those in front of him than he is currently receiving if he is to make a difference.

Dundee United’s next three league games against Kilmarnock at home and Partick and Hamilton away will go a long way towards determining their fate this term. Reverting to a back four would increase their chances of recording victories over their bottom six rivals and of staying up.

ONE LAST THING

Congratulations to Firewater on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow for becoming the first nightclub in the United Kingdom to become an accredited living wage employer and pay its staff at least £8.25 an hour.

Yet, if such an establishment, which operates in a sector where low levels of remuneration are common, can sign up to the Living Wage Charter then surely Scotland’s leading football clubs can too.

Celtic paid their employees at least £7.85 – the previous living wage – in the last financial year but were unwilling to hand authority on setting salaries to an outside body after making a loss of around £3.5 million.

Dave King, the Rangers chairman, announced the Ibrox club would pay its workers the living wage in an interview after their AGM back in November. But it soon emerged that they, too, hadn’t officially committed to the scheme.

And the rest of the Premiership clubs? Anti-poverty campaigners were scathing last year when it emerged more half of them were paying below what they have estimated is minimum amount required to cover the basic cost of living.

We certainly live in difficult and austere times. But shouldn’t football clubs be working for the good of their local communities and society as a whole? If clubs the size of Hearts and Raith Rovers can commit to the charter then so should others.