In football we love a verdict and the earlier the better.
That’s why, after just one round of league fixtures, it seems everyone and their dog has decided how the various teams around the country are going to do this season.
In the Premiership, Celtic still aren’t great but they have that winning mentality of champions and it will see them through to another title.
Rangers aren’t as good as they think they are, their draw with Hamilton proved that. They’ll do OK but will finish a distant second to their arch rivals.
Likewise, Aberdeen are not bad but don’t have enough to do any better than third — close to Rangers, maybe, but a long way behind Celtic.
Moving down a bit, Dundee are certs for the top six this term. Any team that goes up to Ross County and scores three can’t possibly fail to finish in the top half of the table.
And, if Kilmarnock are sensible, they will start preparing now for life in the Championship next season. While they’re at it they should be drawing up a list of candidates to replace manager Lee Clark because he’s just as doomed as his team.
Heading down to the Championship, Hibs have promotion in the bag and the rest are simply fighting for play-off spots.
That includes United, who lack firepower and, particularly at Tannadice, will find teams too difficult to break down.
To switch back to reality, all those assertions can be summed up in one word — ridiculous.
Verdict? When it comes to passing judgment on any team, the juries shouldn’t even be in their seats yet and shouldn’t be for at least another couple of months.
Teams at every level are still finding their feet, still trying to bring in fresh players and maybe even offload a few others.
The only verdict I’d be willing to pass right now is one that says there isn’t a side in our four divisions that looks the finished article.
Most won’t be until around the end of the first quarter of the campaign, maybe even later.
So whether your team did well or had a disaster last weekend, my advice is to stay calm and reserve judgment on them.
Football being football, I don’t expect many to listen.
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