SPFL reconstruction is back on the agenda and Rangers could soon be playing a crucial role in the redevelopment of the nation’s footballing pyramid.
Reports have suggested that the SPFL are in discussions with clubs over a potential switch to a 10-team, 14-team or 16-team division that would see either an increase or a decrease on the current 12-team set-up in the Scottish Premiership.
It’s not the only SPFL news that was released on an unusually busy day for the professional body, with Rangers now able to apply for SPFL postponements due to UEFA playoff fixtures.
With Celtic free to do the same, it’s raised eyebrows amongst Rangers supporters.
But it’s the reconstruction proposals which have sparked intense debate amongst Scottish football fans and Rangers supporters are no different as they assess the pros and cons of expansion or reduction.
With the four Old Firm derbies per season crucial to the Sky Sports TV deal, the solution would have to maintain that Rangers and Celtic rivalry whilst adding to the competitive nature of the league.
That’s why a similar model to the 14-team Greek Super League is starting to turn heads amongst Scottish football supporters.
SPFL reconstruction that works for Rangers and the rest of the game
The current Scottish Premiership is about as full to the brim with the nation’s top clubs as it can be, with the Old Firm, Edinburgh and Dundee derbies crammed into the 12-team division.
But with the likes of Dunfermline Athletic, Partick Thistle, Ayr United and Falkirk all battling it out in the Championship, two of these teams could soon be in the top flight.
That’s if Scottish football is to embrace a new 14-team proposal which mimics the set-up in the Greek Super League.
As explained in this excellent clip from Improving Scottish Football, the league would expand by two teams and the 14 sides would play each other twice (26 games).
The league would then split from 1st to 6th and then 7th to 14th, with the Championship group playing each other twice (another 10 games) and the relegation group playing each other twice (another 14 games).
Whilst there would be less games at the top end of the division, these are generally the teams who would be competing in the latter stages of cup competitions and in Europe.
There would be three relegations, including potentially a play-off with the Championship, whilst the team who finished top of the relegation group (7th) would play a playoff against the side who secured the final European place (either 4th or 5th) for a shot at continental glory.
It’s certainly not perfect but from our point of view, this is a creative and welcome way to add more variety to the Premiership whilst delivering on what fans want.
Greek Super League/14-team Scottish Premiership proposal
- 14-team league
- Teams play each other twice (26 matches)
- League splits into Championship group (1-6) and relegation group (7-14)
- Teams play each other twice again
- 1st crowned winner
- 2nd & 3rd in European spots
- 4th faces European play-off spot with relegation group winner (7th)
- 14th and 13th automatically relegated
- 12th plays in relegation playoff with team Scottish Championship playoff finalist
