Scottish clubs vote for league review

Scotland's league system will be re-structured from 2014-15 if a proposal from the 30 clubs playing in the country's football league is accepted by the Scottish Football Association and Premier League.

The 30 clubs unanimously voted yesterday to propose a three-tier league structure of 16, 10 and 16 teams from season 2014-15 with clubs currently in the Premier League incorporated into a new Premier Division.

The second tier would be re-named the Championship and the third would be called the First Division. Scottish Football League chief executive David Longmuir said: "The plan involves the merger of the SPL and the SFL, coming together to collaborate and work together going forward, which I think would be a good thing for the game. It encourages refreshment and vibrancy of clubs changing their positions.

"The key to this is we are trying to put Scottish football back on a growth curve as opposed to managing decline. It's a first stab, it's not a panacea to change the world of Scottish football."

The plan needs the approval of both the SFA and the SPL before it can be implemented. The SFL is also proposing a new format for the Scottish League Cup based on a seeding system similar to the Champions League. Longmuir's original proposal included reserve sides from Celtic and Rangers being added to the bottom tier, but a number of clubs voiced their opposition.

The SPL clubs are scheduled to meet on 3 December at their regular general meeting where reconstruction, and expansion, is sure to be on the agenda.