Could the Scottish Premiership be increased to 14 teams for 5 years?

SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster has written to clubs regarding league reconstruction. Picture: SNS

SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has reportedly asked the Premiership and Championship clubs whether they would accept a 14-team top flight for five years.

According to the BBC, the league chief has written to the 22 sides who make up the top two tiers to get their views on league reconstruction and an increased Premiership.

Doncaster, who has been in talks with Hearts benefactor James Anderson regarding investment in Scottish football to help clubs survive the coronavirus crisis, is understood to want responses from clubs regarding a league revamp, objections they may have and suggestions by 5pm on Friday, 5 June.

A 14-team top flight has been proposed by Hearts chief Ann Budge as the Tynecastle club try to address issues facing Scottish football in the short-term future, while fighting what they perceive to be the injustice of being relegated to the Championship after sitting bottom of the Premiership with eight fixtures remaining.

League reconstruction was originally discussed prior to the termination of the Premiership.

However, since Celtic were crowned champions for the ninth year running and Hearts demoted, the topic has been back on the table.

Budge presented her paper on possible reconstruction last week for clubs to mull over and ask questions.

A 14-team top flight would see Hearts keep their Premiership place and be joined by Inverness CT. However, reports suggest it will have difficulty gaining enough clubs to support the change.

The make-up of the lower leagues is another aspect which requires discussion with some clubs unsure whether they can play behind closed doors, while Lowland League champions Kelty Hearts and Highland League winners Brora Rangers have expressed their disgruntlement and not getting the chance to win their place in League Two.