In an era where big brother is watching is it any surprise that the football dressing room, the dearly held inner sanctum of a club, is now accommodating of cameras recording footage of pre-match preparation and rituals?
Such a scenario is still the exception rather than the rule but its emergence into modern day viewing was magnified last weekend when a non-Old Firm player was filmed celebrating Celtic scoring during their derby win. As the moment of joy was captured in the players home dressing room prior to his team's crucial fixture, the incident has been the catalyst for much discussion in the football community.
I think that there are two issues to consider; firstly, should the changing room remain off limits and the mantra of what goes on in this room, stays in this room be upheld to the letter and is it naive to believe that players will not hold great affection for the club they supported as a boy, even though they are a professional playing for another side?
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I have a confession to make: I am a football lover who enjoys watching rugby!
If I am being completely honest, I really mean but there is still a common perception that the enjoyment of football and rugby must be mutually exclusive.
I am by no means an expert on the oval ball sport but understand enough to enjoy the intensity of matches at International level.
It is interesting to observe another sport and question whether there is anything that is done within it that would benefit football or that is unsurprisingly overlooked by either players, managers or those who administer our game.
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If a football fan is enduring a disappointing display from their beloved team there are surely occasions when they allow themselves to escape from the suffering.
At these moments, supporters may dream of what they would do if they were in a chairman's shoes or if they were the owners and in control of their club's destiny.
I am sure in the midst of these thoughts everyone would have their ideal choice of manager and list of preferred signings to add to the team. However, if their fantasy was to become a reality just how difficult and indeed how necessary is it for football chairman and owners not to interfere in matters of signing policy, team selection and choice of tactics?
To begin with I must be honest and say that if I was in a position where I had the means to secure ownership of a football club I would find it hard not to be regularly offering my opinion to my manager on those matters listed above.
Having had playing experience I would feel that my opinion was worth listening to, and yet for this same reason I would realise how important it would be for me to resist the urge to interfere and consequently allow the manager and players to do their jobs.
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It hasn't been the greatest week for thirty something right-backs...
and a similar decision made by another reasonable one!
I made my decision after listening to the appropriate advice regarding my injury and realising that my knee was no longer able to cope with the demands of full-time professional football.
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I was released as a teenager from the Scottish Premier League, had the hardening experiences of junior and part-time football and came back to the top flight with four years at university thrown in! I'm Jack Ross, a defender with Dunfermline and I aim to give you an insight into the life and mind of a professional footballer.
