Neil Doncaster believes an early start to the domestic season would help the chances of Scottish teams in Europe - but reminded the clubs that it is up to them to vote for it.
The issue raised its head most recently following Celtic's 3-0 defeat by Braga in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifier in Portugal last week. Hoops' boss Neil Lennon claimed an earlier start to the Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaign would have been beneficial. The Parkhead side won the return game 2-1 on Wednesday night but lost 4-2 on aggregate and now drop into the Europa League.
Scottish Premier League chief executive Doncaster pointed to the Swiss league which started on July 17, as proof that an earlier start to the season could help Scottish clubs in Europe. Doncaster said: "I've heard Neil Lennon's comments about the season start date and I think it is certainly relevant to how teams do perform in Europe."
He added: "If you talk to the Swiss, who enjoy a European coefficient probably higher than a lot of people would expect them to have, they put their high coefficient purely down to the fact they start early.
"So I think we need to look at those lessons and have a proper discussion with clubs and have an open mind as to when we start.
"But the league can't make many decisions of its own accord.
"We can lead the debate and I think that's the right role for a league.
"Ultimately it's for the clubs to decide what they want to do."
Doncaster, speaking at Hampden where the SPL launched a new three-year partnership with Coca-Cola, was less enthusiastic about the idea of playing right through the summer.
"People talk about summer football but we've got to remember that only three out of the top 25 leagues actually play through the summer," he said. "With the World Cup and European Championship, that's a very difficult prospect."
Source: PA
