NOT since the Grand Old Duke of York revealed his somewhat bewildering plan to march his 10,000 men up a hill and then back down again has so much effort been put in for so little reward as Scottish clubs trying to qualify for Europe. As we approach the 50th anniversary of having two of our representatives play in a continental final in the space of six days, what was once viewed as an integral component of our leading clubs’ fixture lists, and then latterly as a worthwhile reward for an honest season’s toil, is in danger of being considered more of a nuisance than a badge of honour.