League Expansion – Time for Change?

[Tangerine Specs 83]

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?

[tangeron]

Old firm supporters only care about one thing and that's being the top dog in Glasgow, the rest of clubs are only there to make up the numbers.

[LSArab]

Should keep the current league structure

12 teams and the top 6 excitement works really well

They need to even up the prize money but they won?t

[Tangerine Specs 83]

I also should have said that most likely the rest of the Prem clubs (including us) are just looking at self preservation and not looking to improve the country as a whole or the youth setup.

The setup is fine in a sense that it does create excitement. But I can?t see another team winning the league in my lifetime, if we keep the current setup.

[TerryTheTerror]

The two big Glasgow clubs are just looking after themselves, that's the way it goes. Why the sheep shagging *******s backed them up a few years ago is an utter mystery. Absolute chunts.

[JamesMcClean]

The two big Glasgow clubs are just looking after themselves, that's the way it goes. Why the sheep shagging *******s backed them up a few years ago is an utter mystery. Absolute chunts.

100% bang on. I think the 12 team structure in itself works fine, it’s how the money is divvied up that’s the problem. The SSBs phucked us all up good and proper propping up the status quo when there was quite literally a once in a lifetime opportunity for change after the demise of Oldco………….W@nkers.

[southwestarab]

100% bang on. I think the 12 team structure in itself works fine, it?s how the money is divvied up that?s the problem. The SSBs phucked us all up good and proper propping up the status quo when there was quite literally a once in a lifetime opportunity for change after the demise of Oldco????.W@nkers.

I agree with the original post regarding giving young Scottish players a chance. A bigger league would allow teams to do this, especially teams in mid table who are not fighting relegation or chasing a European place.
Celtic on Saturday despite just needing one point to win the league from five games included two Scots in their stating line up. Admittedly they had another four on the bench but none were youngsters. Rangers had three Scots playing with maybe three others on the bench. They did have youngsters though. How much that was down to injuries I don?t know. Both of them though very rarely have more than two or three Scots playing.
I am not saying the national team would improve immediately but giving talented youngsters a taste of action would surely help down the line.

[Arabdownsouth]

The two big Glasgow clubs are just looking after themselves, that's the way it goes. Why the sheep shagging *******s backed them up a few years ago is an utter mystery. Absolute chunts.

My vote would be for a 10 team top flight,but rather than having two teams relegated can we please fire the two c*nts at the top all the way to f*ck instead!