Peter Lawwell: I’d back 14-team SPL

CELTIC chief executive Peter Lawwell says he would be prepared to back a move to 14 teams in the Scottish Premier League, after previously backing a reduction from 12 to ten teams.

The expanded league would have a split midway through the season, with each team having played the others twice in a 26-fixture format. Then the top six and bottom eight would split into separate leagues, and the top six would play each other twice in the second half of the season, making a total of 36 games in their season. The bottom eight would also play each other twice, giving them a total of 40 games.

Lawwell said: “If we were asked our opinion on whether we want a ten, 12 or 14 [team league], we could see ourselves voting for a 14 as long as it’s a six and an eight and if that helps the clubs that have great concerns about relegation.

“We actually started at the strategic group with a ten [club plan]. We felt it was right.

“It was 36 games and that gave us the appropriate time for Europe and possibly a winter break.

“Martin [Bain, former Rangers chief executive] and I were then convinced for a 14 because the top six would play 36 games. We were persuaded to go back to the ten for the greater good because the majority around the table wanted the ten.

“But ten, 12 or 14, it doesn’t really matter, other than the number of games you play.”

Lawwell believes the plan would serve the interests of all clubs with more scope for rest at the top, balanced with extra matches for the clubs at the lower end.

He said: “That gives you preparation time, it gives you winter break time and then in the bottom, teams would have 40 games – and more money.”

But the Celtic chief executive has clearly been angered by talks taking place by the ten non-Old Firm clubs to discuss possible changes to the SPL, describing the negotiations as “divisive” and “disrespectful”.

The ten clubs are looking to change the 11-1 voting structure for structural changes, which favours Celtic and Rangers, to a 9-3 format which could facilitate potentially wide-reaching reforms.

The next general meeting of the SPL is on 12 April, where any issues surrounding change could be discussed, but Lawwell moved yesterday to voice his concerns while denying that his club was only acting in its own interests.

“We see it as potentially divisive and concerning for every Scottish football supporter at this very difficult time for the game in Scotland,” Lawwell said. “We could all do without it. We are not against protecting the lower clubs. We were part of the strategic group that committed to transforming the funding of the First Division.

“But we were disappointed and we feel it disrespectful that, [with] what Celtic and Rangers bring to the game, and having spent nearly two years and a lot of time helping to develop a strategy, that we were excluded.”