Scottish Premier League clubs will "try to rush through reconstruction" in time for next season, but there will be no mechanism to allow Third Division Rangers to be "fast-tracked into the proposed new set-up," according to Andrew Smith of the SCOTSMAN. The 12 SPL sides will meet Monday having already agreed “in principle” to a new set-up of two 12-team divisions, which would see each club play twice before splitting into three eight-team playoff sections. The middle eight section would comprise the bottom four from SPL1 and the top four from SPL2. No proposals have been set for any playoff or relegation slots from the third eight into what is left of the Scottish Football League, nor what would operate below the two 12s, with the SPL not wishing to be seen to prescribe to the SFL, which "vehemently opposes the SPL plans." SPL clubs "will be presented with precisely what the financial distribution model would mean for the 24 teams in the new structure" Monday (SCOTSMAN, 12/2).
SURVEY SAYS: In Glasgow, Gregor Kyle reported the Scottish FA, SPL, SFL and fan group Supporters Direct Scotland have collaborated to create a national football survey to "seek the views of those they describe as the lifeblood of the game." The survey will "allow opinions to be heard" on subjects such as league reconstruction, national team performance, rules and regulations and the matchday experience. The survey is being billed as "the most-comprehensive survey ever carried out in Scottish football" (DAILY RECORD, 11/30).
EURO 2020 BACKING: Also in Glasgow, Craig Swan wrote that FIFA VP Jim Boyce has "thrown his weight behind Scotland's ambitious plans to help stage Euro 2020." UEFA President Michel Platini has "put forward the idea of a one-off tournament played across 13 different cities." Boyce said, "When you look at the marvelous facilities at Hampden, I think it would be an ideal venue" (DAILY RECORD, 12/1).
