AFTER Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, it looked like the Scottish managerial dynasty at Manchester United would continue for many years to come with David Moyes.

Sadly, in a world of revolving doors for football managers, Moyes became the latest casualty.

It is disappointing that the club appears to have learned nothing from the formative years of Sir Alex Ferguson as manager.

In his first two years at Manchester United, Ferguson had achieved very little success and it required some considerable patience on behalf of the board before their faith in him was rewarded.

Patience, it would seem, is no longer a virtue.

Having previously remained a haven of managerial common sense, Man Utd now join the ranks of all those clubs who place stock market value above playing considerations.

Having dispensed with the chosen one, they may now resort to employing the special one.

In any case, commerce without morality has no long-term future. In the short term, the moral result remains ... Manchester United nil.

WHISTLEBLOWER Edward Snowden this week officially became Rector of Glasgow University.

The former spy, who disclosed thousands of US intelligence documents, spoke via video link from his Temporary asylum in Russia.

His audience, in the university's magnificent Bute Hall, numbered a whopping 200.

Glasgow University has some 23,000 students.

Snowden is completely incapable of carrying out the duties of Rector. And so, to all those who attended Mr Snowden's official welcome I say, well done, fabulous decision.

In the meantime, my full support lies with the 99% of students who decided not to attend this event, voted with their feet and sent a very strong message to their peers, we are NOT interested.

THIS week, David Cameron was criticised for characterising the UK as a Christian country.

In the last census of 2011, some 54% of Scots described themselves as Christians.

The UK has developed for more than 1500 years as a Christian country.

In the last 50 years or so, it is a fact that church attendances have been declining sharply and the relevance of the Christian faith, to many, has become questionable.

We should not however, underestimate the underlying importance and influence of the Christian religion, particularly in areas such as West Central Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It is true that we are becoming somewhat less Christian in our practices.

Indeed, in this democracy, we accept that legislation relating to abortion and same-sex marriage strengthen the secular nature of our society, whilst contradicting Christian principles.

In our traditions relating to births, deaths and marriages, we remain primarily Christian.

Our public holidays, particularly in relation to Christmas and Easter, reflect our Christian heritage.

Our legal system is founded upon Christian values, indeed Bishops sit in the House of Lords and the Queen remains head of the Church of England.

We remain culturally, historically and institutionally Christian, albeit in an increasingly multicultural and multi-faith, secular Britain.

If not Christian, how then should we define ourselves?

In this nation we understand that the division between church and state requires to be absolute.

We recognise that a great deal of harm has been occasioned upon our world in the name of Christianity.

However we remain a secular, Christian nation, founded upon Christian principles. David Cameron was therefore correct. True democracy protects all faiths and faith strengthens true democracy.

THIS week, Labour MSP James Kelly led a debate in the Scottish parliament regarding the living wage.

The living wage is not legally binding but is set at £7.65 an hour, considerably more than the legal UK minimum wage of £6.31 an hour.

If implemented, the adjustment would create an increase of some £2600 per year for all those who fall within this wage bracket.

If we are serious in Scotland about the fairer distribution of wealth, and about closing the gap between rich and poor, ensuring that future generations have a decent quality of living, then we should all support the introduction of the living wage.

I applaud our politicians for their stance and would urge them to get on with its introduction.