League Expansion Time for Change?
Is it not a complete joke that everything in Scottish football revolves around the Old Firm? The league is designed to guarantee four OF games a season, all to keep the TV money flowing. I get that it's a huge financial draw, but let's not pretend it does anything for the rest of the league. The other clubs are scraps at the table.
The Old Firm complain about the lack of competition but refuses to back any meaningful changes to shake things up. And let's not forget Aberdeen's infamous role in preserving the 11-to-1 voting structure that effectively gives the Glasgow clubs a veto. One club blocks it, and that's the end of the conversation. It's a rigged system. A dictatorship in all but name. The SPFL is a closed shop, killing any chance of progress.
And frankly, playing the same teams four times a season is boring. Sometimes more with the cups. Is that really the best we can do? Why not look at the Belgian model? 16 teams play each other twice, then split into playoffs for the title, European spots, and relegation. It's fresh, competitive, and could inject much-needed energy into the league.
Under a structure like that, you only face the OF twice in the regular season, giving smaller clubs more of a fighting chance. You might get a result once or twice, but four times a season? They inevitably come out on top. Every year.
Smaller leagues also give clubs less room to develop youth talent. This isn't just about the league but also the national team. We've been an embarrassment for decades on that front. If we keep doing the same things, we'll get the same results.
And somehow, in all of this, we still take fans for granted. Scottish clubs have incredibly loyal support, especially given the quality and structure on offer. But we can't just drift on as we are, letting the Old Firm hoard trophies for another 40, 50, 60 years. Something has to give.
We also need to talk about refereeing. Why are we still relying on part-time refs in 2025? It's embarrassing. Surely, we can afford a proper professional standard in the top flight?
Even if we reformed the league, the OF would still win most of the trophies and go on the best European runs. That's fine. They're the biggest clubs. But at least give the rest of us a chance. Right now, it feels like we're not even allowed that.
Truth is, I don't see any meaningful change happening unless fans force the issue. A coordinated boycott would hit clubs where it hurts, the pocket. That might actually get them to listen. But it's a hard thing to organise. And who wants to boycott their own team? I love going to Tannadice. I'd hate to miss games. But if it was a league-wide movement with real backing, I'd absolutely support it.
And finally, how can we trust any of this to improve with guys like Neil Doncaster still at the top? Multi-million-pound salary, two-year notice period, and no sign of actual progress. It's all about protecting the money pipeline from the Old Firm and strangling the life out of the game for everyone else.
Rant over. Curious what the rest of you think ? is it just me losing my head, or is it time we seriously considered something better?
