Who Has The Power In Scottish Fitba?

Dundee United are just like every other SPL club at the moment, because money is a major concern with dwlindling crowds, limited TV revenue and extortionate wages to pay each week.

You only have to look at the current situation regarding Gregg Burnett, where United have only offered the youngster a short-term extension to his deal until the end of May.

Perhaps this is the way of the future for Scottish sides, offering short-term deals to save themselves money in the long run?

Releasing Derek McInnes, Russel Latapy, Grant Brebner and Jim McIntyre last season cost Dundee United a small fortune in compensation, because they had to come to some financial agreement over the remainder of their contracts.

Grant Smith is currently out of contract and Craig Levein is still to speak to the midfielder about an extension to his deal.

If this extension is only until the end of the season, does this mean United don't think he has a long-term future at the club.

Or is it just proof that the Tannadice board is evolving in this cash-strapped SPL climate - by refusing to risk offering longer deals to players?

Or is this a sign that football clubs are starting to regain control in the player versus club power struggle?

Recent developments at Hearts, Hibs & Rangers might back that up…

Hearts: An important player like captain Steven Pressley was dumped by Hearts for making a stand against the owner. Their most valuable asset Paul Hartley benched for exactly the same thing.

Rangers: Influential midfielder Barry Ferguson stripped of his captaincy because Paul Le Guen wanted to knock him down a couple of pegs and prove that he's incharge at Ibrox.

Hibs: Kevin Thomson stripped of his captaincy after trying to 'blackmail' the club, along with team mate Scott Brown, into giving them a better wage deal, after advice from a new agent.

Clubs can't survive without players, and players can't survive without clubs - who is in control?

Maybe it's the supporters who are in control, because clubs can't survive without supporters, but can supporters survive without clubs?


Paul Le Guen and Rangers Chairman David Murray proved this week, that they sometimes dont even listen to supporters - with so many Gers backing Ferguson in the current captaincy row.

So, maybe it's the media that have the power, or the bank managers, or the agents......

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.