Doncaster turns to Europe for new-look SPL blueprint

SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster recently raised the prospect of the expansion of the 12-team top flight. Most managers have come out in favour of such an idea to prevent teams nullifying each other – Rangers will face St Mirren and Dundee United six times each this season.

Doncaster said: "What we're doing is to consult as widely as possible to consult on best practice across all leagues within Europe, and take the best of those ideas to see if they can be properly employed within the SPL.

"If they can, we'll assess those ideas and consult with the clubs and put forward a package of measures that we hope will take the SPL forward. Ultimately it's for the clubs to decide whether they wish to embrace that change. Our job is to inspire debate, and I think that's happened, and take forward ideas, and put it to the vote."

The likes of Rangers manager Walter Smith and Motherwell manager Craig Brown have backed an expanded league, while Celtic's Tony Mowbray remains open to the idea as a critic of the current split in April.

However, any change in structure will be decided at board level and clubs will be unwilling to share revenue with more clubs without an increase in the overall income.

Doncaster said: "I'm really pleased that the prospect of change has inspired so much debate. People care passionately and we'll look at those ideas.

"Any recommendations have got to stack up commercially, that's vital. There is no point in putting things together that may make the game slightly more appealing but give clubs a greater financial problem than they've got already."

Doncaster was launching a 2.8m UK Government scheme that will see each SPL club provide six-month work placements for the long-term unemployed as coaches or groundstaff. "This is a great example of how our clubs can play their part in society," he said.