weeyin

They did - just in slightly less direct language.

In McCall's early interview he seemed to think that he could replace outgoing players with the cash that was freed up.

You're lucky. My local team is the New York Red Bulls.

Alternatively: 14 team league. Pre-split all 14 play home and away = 26 games. Post split, play home and away = 12 games (including, most likely another 2 OF). It would mean a week off for each team after the split, but it solves a few problems in regard to playing an odd number of games after the split.

We do have play-offs for the drop and Europe. It's called the SPL.

People don't need to accept it - that's the point. The game relies on the paying customer. If it doesn't deliver to an acceptable standard, then no more customers.

See, you're falling into the same, short-term thinking. Right now, the level across the board is short on quality. Increasing the number of teams might not improve the quality overnight, but stands a chance of allowing teams to develop better players without every game being a relegation dogfight. But relegating 20% of the league every season will increase quality exactly how?

No, that was a stupid idea too - that's why we want to see an expanded league.

Change the 'o' to an 'au' and I think you have coined the perfect word for the new 10-Team SPL.

First of all, there are more players than there are clubs, and they can't all head down south. Even in the worst case, (such as the 70s) when large numbers of good Scottish talent headed that direction, the league managed to keep producing more. In the EPL at least, the 25 player rule is going to reduce the number of opportunities and increase the competition for places in the lower leagues as fringe players are edged out.

Similar comments here in regard to The Scotsman's article e.g.

Seems like Dundee Utd (plus a few others) are making the right noises. From today's Scotsman:

Sadly, I think that might be the case. The big 2 have a stranglehold on TV money and the 10 hangers-on are too scared to try and take it from them.

That was part of it. The other part, of course, was financial. When teams started to keep their gate receipts (rather than split them 50/50) playing the OF at home 4 times a year was a big deal (or at least, became much more important).

Yes.

Even better - after all the games have kicked off at 3pm on a sat.

That's certainly one of the reasons I enjoyed our stint in the First Division. Lots of nice wee trips to old-school grounds that have since disappeared.

Including the SPL, by the sound of it

Maybe what we need in the SPL is 2 leagues of 6 teams. Rangers in one league and Celtic in the other. The teams could play each other eight times ensuring 4 visits from an OF representative. Then, at the end of the season, regardless of who come out top of each section, Rangers and Celtic could have a 4 game play-off to decide the Champions. To keep things fair, they could also alternate the OF between each of the leagues so you would get Celtic one year, Rangers the next.

If there has to be play-offs (and I'm not a big fan of them) then I can tolerate them for promotion like they have in the English lower leagues. I don't think there should ever be play-offs for relegation, though. Doesn't sit right with me.

Playing QoS or Dundee at home once per season might not bring fans back, but it's less likely to drive them away. I keep picking on St. Mirren, but I really don't want to fork out to watch that shower 2 (or possibly more) times a season at Fir Park. Plus, a bigger league makes it less likely you will be relegated and more likely teams can play with a bit less pressure on them. The 10 team option is there for one reason only - make sure you play the OF 4 times a season.

No, but allowing every game to go to penalty kicks would see a dramatic increase in this tactic I reckon.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! I respectfully disagree Nothing wrong with a hard-earned draw, and more teams would park 11 in the box hoping to sneak a win on penalties.

Agreed. Fear is no basis for running a league. I can imagine 4 or 5 teams lining up in Levein's favourite formation every week, and it's hardly conducive to blooding the youngsters.

They have only played 5 games in the last 2 months so they are really both the same stat. I don't think the first division is underrated at all - that is why I would like to see more representation in an expanded SPL. However, facing guys like Humphrey will be a new experience for their defence and can definitely create chances.