By Chick Young BBC Scotland football correspondent

Smith sent off St Mirren's Will Haining for a foul in the box

If you are taking hallucinatory drugs, are half blind, or just don't have a television set then it is, of course, conceivable that Eddie Smith was right in both controversial decisions that led to a Celtic victory over St Mirren in the last two fixtures between the clubs.

And, even if he was wrong, he might believe he was right.

But it is not the split second it takes to make up your mind in a football match that has the blood pounding through the veins of St Mirren fans. It is the downright folly of the decision-making away from the playing field.

It was Smith who awarded Celtic a free kick in the dying minutes of the fixture against Saints in Paisley with which Shunsuke Nakamura burgled Celtic three points last season.

Days later, he travelled with Celtic - via Strathclyde Police - as a security advisor on the club's trip to Barcelona. The Scottish FA stresses that he travelled as often with Rangers and the governing body itself. But, under the circumstances, was there not another officer who could have undertaken that task?

Just because you are paranoid, it doesn't mean they are not out to get you.

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What was a decision of utter insanity was to appoint Smith for Celtic's gala day, an afternoon of understandable emotion in the east end of Glasgow as Rosemary Burns unfurled the title flag.

In the eyes of St Mirren fans, the players and the management, Smith was public enemy number one even if he continued to believe his own innocence.

His presence at Parkhead was another potential explosion percolating away - and, oops, he did it again.

Just as there were other policemen who could have travelled to Barcelona, there were other referees who could have patrolled Celtic Park. But the Scottish FA prefers, of course, to confront trouble.

Like an errant schoolboy who pays no attention at all to a clip across the ear, the association seems to relish the impish delight of devilment of it all.

Meanwhile, the SFA saw fit to issue statements in denial of rumours concerning any affection that Mr Smith may have for Celtic.

What's all that about? What's wrong if he has?

Will Haining clashed with Celtic's Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink

None of us involved professionally in football knew our career fate when we were kids. We just loved the game and got lucky.

I write this as a supporter of St Mirren and, of course, my heart thumps just a little more passionately about the injustice of the penalty award that handed Celtic victory on Sunday. But, trust me, I would be pounding the keyboard if it happened to any other club.

The season is in its infancy, but already the SFA is in meltdown.

First, the shambles of the Elite Youth League and the banishment of Ross County, Dundee and Dunfermline to the wee boys' playground. And now this.

Why didn't they have a quiet word with the clubs to have the relevant forms about disclosure signed and on their way within a couple of days?

And why didn't they have a quiet word with themselves about refereeing appointments for the first Scottish Premier League weekend of the season?

I am not saying that Eddie Smith should never again officiate at a match involving Celtic or St Mirren - just not against each other in the wake of an inflammatory game between the clubs.

Of course, now that I have said that, I can't wait to see the match officials for their next game at Love Street.

They wouldn't - they couldn't.