Michael Johnston sure ten-team SPL plan is dead

Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston heard nothing at yesterday's Scottish Premier League AGM to suggest that the resistance to the proposal for a ten-team SPL has weakened.

Johnston has opposed the move to reduce the top flight by two teams as have several other clubs, some of whom, indeed, are believed to be keen on increasing the numbers in the top league. Although the issue was not on the agenda at the Hampden meeting, it was mentioned and more formal talks are planned. Johnston emerged from the meeting to say: "I was always confident that there was insufficient support for that to go forward and that remains my suspicion. I certainly haven't changed my position and I know that there are a number of other people round the table who haven't changed theirs either."

Ralph Topping was elected for the third time as SPL chairman and Motherwell vice-chairman Derek Weir was elected to the five-man board of directors. Topping, Weir and chief executive Neil Doncaster will be joined by Eric Riley (Celtic) and Steven Brown (St Johnstone). Hibs chairman Rod Petrie and St Mirren's Stewart Gilmour stepped down from the board after eight and two years' service respectively.