While the Kris Boyd conundrum has been well debated - from the stands to the managers office - you would have to search long and hard for anyone who would have been happy to sell a second standout centre half in the space of six months. Quite simply, the consequences of losing Bougherra would have had a monumental impact on the outcome of the SPL season and as a result our short to medium term future. So once again the question is asked: why are we the support being left in the dark over these hugely significant decisions and only find out six months down the line in an unfriendly daily red top?
In January, David Murray was quick to justify the acceptance of Birmingham's offer for Boyd saying "If we did not take this action, it could have been bad". However the transfer window came and went with no significant outward activity and while we have thankfully secured Champions League qualification and the income that goes along with it, the fans are completely in the dark over just what state our club is in. We have heard little from our chairman in the last six months and it begs the question - had it not been for journalists breaking these stories, would we even have found out our willingness to sell in January?
For the first time in four years we will come into a new season from a position of strength, a good platform to take the club forward both on and off the pitch. However, if we are to progress those people in key decision making roles within the club have to adopt a more pragmatic approach towards the fans. With the management meeting this week to discuss this coming season, fans are left to speculate on a variety of issues, which could have a huge impact on next season and our future. Will still be forced to sell a key player? Can we strengthen the team? Does Walter Smith's contract expire in December?
Is it too much to ask for a bit of honesty towards those people who, season on season, pump millions of pounds into the club, following the team the length and breadth of the country and even continent to show their support? If major decisions are being made by the club or, even worse, being forced upon the club by a third party, then we deserve to know why. It is clear that the fans already feel that they are treated with contempt by the club and being hidden from the truth simply adds to this disillusionment.
In the last week we have seen that the players are prepared to take an honest approach with the fans, so much so that we all now know about Lee McCulloch's flatulence issues! Its time for the management to take heed and follow suit. After the last decade, its the least we deserve.