SPL discusses 14-team league

KILMARNOCK chief executive David Mackinnon has confirmed the Scottish Premier League are discussing an increase in the number of teams in the top flight.

Currently, the 12-team structure of the SPL splits in two after all clubs have played 33 matches. But the top-flight clubs are discussing the possibility of extending the league to increase competition and the number of meaningful matches in the league. Mackinnon said: "From a personal point of view, the 14-team league, which [Rangers general secretary] Campbell Ogilvie has come up with, takes a lot of beating.

"It would really improve the game and would allow a lot of games which mean something right up to the last kick of the season.

"More importantly, it would really get the fans back on board because, from working with Kilmarnock, if you are out of the top six, the season is virtually over. There are a lot of meaningless games and the crowds go down by 20 to 25 per cent in the final games. Anything that brings the fans back is important."

"It was turned down by the SPL board a few years ago because there were implications with the TV deal. But that deal has changed now. You don’t get money when you play a live game - you get it throughout the season."