The events of last Friday night at Fir Park were not so much a last straw for the Celtic board as an open goal they could not miss in dealing with the Green Brigade.

While the Hoops turned in their second rampant display in as many games, crushing Motherwell 5-0, it was the antics of some in the away end which monopolised the headlines.

Not the fine banners - political, but no-one was arguing - in tribute to Nelson Mandela, but the destruction of about £10,000 worth of seats, plus the use of a flare and smoke bomb or two.

Fans have been kicking hell out of seats at Scottish grounds going right back to the mid-1980s by my recollection but that does not make it right.

It's not. It's bloody stupid and there's not an ounce of validity in the argument put forward by some - I kid you not - that no-one was hurt in the mistreatment of these inanimate objects.

Anyway, this vandalism has led to but one conclusion - the disbanding of the Green Brigade inside Celtic Park.

To their credit there has been a (qualified) apology from these self-styled Ultras over the grief in Lanarkshire.

They've admitted that those congregated behind one of their banners caused the damage. They were not, we were told, official members but mere "associates" of the group. Their pals, in other words.

It's not the strongest defence by any means and, hardly surprising, there was no offer to compensate Motherwell.

All this comes after the controversy surrounding the Bobby Sands/William Wallace display at the recent Champions League match against AC Milan.

Intended as a dig at the SNP administration and the frankly lamentable Offensive Behaviour at Football legislation, it sparked an angry debate among the Celtic faithful about the rightful place of Irish nationalism in their ranks.

In essence Motherwell proved to be the tipping point - the culmination of a fractious fortnight. The vandalism and pyrotechnics on display were exactly the opportunity a fed-up board required to issue a short, sharp shock.

This they have now done, suspending nearly 130 people from both home and away games, while 250 season-ticket holders will be ejected from section 111 and scattered around the ground.

We should not forget there are enormously high stakes here for all concerned at Celtic. There is not only the fall-out from the Milan game but also an ongoing battle to clear the names of the five supporters jailed for their part in disturbances in Amsterdam this autumn.

What is crucial to understand for those who cherish the green and white is that the good name of the club is on the line.

This is not about the actions of the Dutch police, Scottish government or directors right now. Mud sticks. The Hoops fans need to stop throwing it in their own direction.

The Scottish Messi? Gauld himself isn't getting carried away just yet

Being labelled the "baby Messi" would go to the head of the vast majority of 17-year-olds but thankfully not Ryan Gauld.

The Dundee United starlet has the potential - no more than that for the moment - to be one of the game's great lights. The good news, other than the fact that he is Scottish, is that he knows there is a long road to travel and is in no rush to head down it.

Gauld, who has won Scotland's Young Player of the Month Award, seems pretty relaxed about his future.

With Arsenal, Manchester United and Real Madrid among others waiting in the wings he has spoken of "what is best for me" with no wish to spend time in the reserves elsewhere.

It puts things into context when we consider that he has played just over 20 times for the Tangerines. That the media at large have been in a bit of a lather over the kid speaks volumes about the lack of Scottish talent in recent years.

Take heart - at Dundee United youth development is a serious matter. There Gauld, and I'm told a good many others brimming with potential, will get the chance to receive a fine education in the game with feet firmly planted on terra firma.

Athletics shamed by Lynsey Sharp fiasco

Poor Lynsey Sharp. Bonkers as it may seem the European 800m champion is still waiting to receive her gold medal fully six months after she was awarded it.

The 23 year-old was upgraded from the silver spot after coming in behind Yelena Arzhakova at the 2012 finals in Helsinki, the Russian then being banned for doping offences.

Even with the assistance of Scottish and UK Athletics Sharp has heard nothing officially about her status, never mind seen the medal that is rightfully hers.

She has been left to wonder whether "you're meant to just sit around and wait for them to decide when they want to give it to you."

Officials at European Athletics should hang their heads in shame. They have failed to honour her work, time, dedication and success. What a ridiculous state of affairs.

For a body whose very name suggests it should be quick off the mark there's some worrying dragging of heels going on.