Thoughts and suggestions around league reconstruction in Scottish football

The Celtic Star

·2 April 2025

Thoughts and suggestions around league reconstruction in Scottish football

An 18 team league would be great in theory, but let’s not kid ourselves on it would make our football any more attractive…

Dens Park Dundee. Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

The news that the SPFL are pondering league reconstruction when it comes to the number of teams competing in the top league, has more than ruffled a few feathers in the ranks of the SMSM and supporters up and down the country.

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According to reports the governing body is considering a league consisting of either 10, 14, or 16 sides as it aims to shake up the Scottish game.

A return to a ten ten league seems to be the popular choice

A return to a 10 team league is reckoned to be the most popular option for the powers that be, but that has the hacks, pundits and the supporters frothing at the mouth and they weren’t quick in venting their fury.

Referee Alan Muir reviews action on the VAR monitor during a VAR check for a challenge on Conor McMenamin of St Mirren. Inside the Hearts penalty area. Referee Muir over-ruled VAR and did not award a penalty to St Mirren. 06 Apr 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

I can understand where everyone is coming from in all of this. In the SPFL’s eyes a ten team league would be less complicated when it comes to the number of games, and provide more meaningful games. It will also ensure four Glasgow and Edinburgh, and possibly Dundee derby’s a season. They are the big draws after all, especially the Glasgow one.

14 or 16 team leagues would prove exciting for supporters

14 or 16 team leagues would prove exciting for supporters, but a 14 team championship would involve another complex split situation, and a 16 team system would provide only 30 games. It’s all one big conundrum.

My own preference would be an 18 team league consisting of 34 games, with three sides being relegated and three promoted from a similar size championship, but at the end of the day it’s not going to make our football any better than it is currently.

Fir Park, photo by Vagelis Georgariou

Bringing in the likes of Falkirk, Livingston, Ayr Utd, Partick Thistle, Raith Rovers, or Dunfermline isn’t going to exactly enhance the quality of our game is it? Sure it will be good for supporters of such sides, but when it comes to improving our game, it won’t do zilch.

Criteria clarifications needed

There should be criteria clarifications too, grass pitches only, stadiums to the required started, a guaranteed percentage for away supporters and maybe a commitment to develop a reserve league. These and other points should be considered alongside any re-structuring of the league format.

Hibernian v Celtic Scottish Premiership 28/10/2023. Outside Easter Road before the Scottish Premiership match between Hibernian and Celtic at Easter Road on 28 October 2023. Photo Paul Phelan PSI

What does reducing the size of the league mean for the clubs mentioned above and also the likes of St Johnstone, Ross County and Kilmarnock who could find themselves in the wrong end of this decision? Celtic played Inverness Caley Thistle in the Scottish Cup Final the season before last but we’re likely to lose them completely in the summer as they are in real danger of disappearing.

Generally the split has been a success

Generally the split has been a success but it would be more exciting if there’s matters to be determined within it, rather than a run-away leaders (not that we’re complaining about that!).

In the SWPL1 the season is all about the head to heads among the top teams ahead of the split – and collecting the routine three points against the rest who are of a far lower standard.

Aberdeen v Celtic Cinch Scottish Premiership 03-02-2024. Aberdeen and Celtic fans during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Scotland on 3 February 2024. Aberdeen Pittodrie Stadium.Photo Stephen Dobson PSI

But in the split this season there are five from six team with an eye on the title. Three are clear contenders (shockingly that does not include Celtic but that’s another story). Image five from six post split all in with a chance of winning the Scottish Premiership? Exciting yes, but hard to imagine especially as Celtic is motoring away with things financially after yet another lucrative season earning in the Champions League.

Essentially if you want to make Scottish football competitive the two Glasgow giants move on and play their football in England. That would leave behind a winnable Scottish Premiership for the rest of the sides. Not that it will ever happen.

But the facts to the matter are that Celtic is miles above the rest, including theRangers who are far above every other side in Scottish football. If we fast forward 20 years none of these other sides are going to have a chance of a title. Without the top two the league would have multiple winners and much greater excitement.

If the top two moved to an English league they could maintain their Scottish identity by playing in the Scottish cup competitions and not the English ones. A bit mad? Well, I’ve heard worse ideas, like a ten team league which is what we’re likely to get.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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