So it is finally confirmed – Dundee have blown the First Division title, and Inverness Caley Thistle will be replacing either Falkirk, St Mirren or Kilmarnock in the SPL next season.

Dundee v St Johnstone at Dens, season 2006/07

Clearly, as a Saints fan, this is utterly hilarious.  They were miles clear throughout the season, were the only team spending money – taking players like Griffiths and Harkins from under the noses of Premier League sides – and were winning games despite not playing particularly well by all accounts.

Then the wheels started to come off.  They dropped a few points.  The lead was cut, with Ross County and Queen of the South initially getting closer.

Then, with Dundee still top of the league by a couple of points, they sacked Jocky Scott (as an aside, if you haven’t already seen it, take a look at the “Real Leigh Griffiths” blog, starring one Mr Jocky Scott – genius).

Once bitten, twice shy doesn’t come into play at Dens – remember when they sacked Jim Duffy while top of the league?

Meanwhile ICT were quietly putting together a string of results that eventually saw them overtake Dundee, and has now seen them win the league with a couple of games to spare.

All of this, of course, tickles the vindictive anti-Dundee streak inside me (and, I suspect, a vast amount of St Johnstone supporters).

We should obviously spend as much time as possible tearing into any Derry-frequenting friends/family/acquaintances/colleagues.  Only Greenock Morton’s dubious collapse a few seasons ago rivals it.

But part of me wonders – would we have been better off with Dundee in the league?

First of all, think about it financially for Saints.  We’d be guaranteed one or two home fixtures a season with a gate upwards of 7,000.  A game against Inverness will attract half of that.

Secondly, would you rather go to an away game at Dens or up at Inverness?  Away to Dundee you get a good atmosphere, generally an exciting game regardless of the quality on display and the chance to get it right up them if we win.

A trip to Inverness involves a lengthy journey, a less than exciting stadium with little if any atmosphere, and a fairly routine match.

And third, wouldn’t you love Saints to play a part in sending them straight back down to Division One?

I welcome Inverness to the SPL – what they have achieved in little more than 15 years in the Scottish senior set up is remarkable – and coasting past Dundee, backed by Melville’s millions, is fantastic.

But still, just think back to those days – 7-2 at McDiarmid, Sheerin’s wondergoal last season and many other great days against the Dees, and imagine how great it would be to record some more next season.

What do you think? Join the debate on the We Are Perth Forums.