SFL would still have time to add new team

SFL chief executive David Longmuir hosted the draw for the first round of the Ramsdens Cup yesterday, and he insists that it is business as usual despite the intense speculation over the future of Rangers.

The constitution of a Newco for the Ibrox club and a place in the Third Division has been hotly discussed in the event that they are denied a place in next season’s SPL.

Dundee, who will face Brechin City, could move up to fill the gap, as could Dunfermline, who are down to travel to Forfar, if they are rescued from SPL relegation. However, Longmuir is concentrating only on what he has to look after just now.

The Hampden chief said: “This draw involves the 32 teams that are in the SFL plus two invitees from the Highland League and they are getting our full attention just now. Our fixtures are being released on Monday and they will have the names of our 30 teams in them so anything else is just speculation.”

He added: “We have nothing in place to say this will happen or that will happen but what we do have in place is a tried and tested process to allow things to happen. At the moment it is business as usual as decisions regarding Rangers have to be made by the SPL not us. If these decisions mean that we have to get involved then we will. We have a straightforward process for clubs to apply should they wish to be in the SFL.”

When Gretna went bust in 2008, the SFL used ‘Club X’ to signify the new team – who would be Annan – when the fixtures were announced in mid-June.

Longmuir reckons that should the SPL be faced with a gap through the elevation to the SPL of either Dundee or Dunfermline, it could be filled by the time the Ramsdens Cup kicks off on 28 July. Longmuir said: “The whole process for Annan getting from application to selection took more than four weeks but less than six. That timescale is still available if it is needed.”

RAMSDEN’S CUP FIRST-ROUND DRAW

North/East: Brechin City v Dundee, Falkirk v Stirling Albion, Montrose v Inverurie Loco Works, Peterhead v East Fife, Elgin City v Arbroath, Forfar Athletic v Dunfermline Athletic, Wick Academy v Raith Rovers, Cowdenbeath v Alloa Athletic.

South/West: East Stirlingshire v Ayr United, Morton v Albion Rovers, Berwick Rangers v Queen’s Park, Dumbarton v Queen of the South, Hamilton Academical v Airdrie United, Stranraer v Stenhousemuir, Annan Athletic v Livingston, Clyde v Partick Thistle.