Thompson talks up title play-offs

20 December 2010 11:30

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has proposed radical plans for title play-offs as Scottish Premier League clubs prepare for reform talks.

A 10-team top division with play-offs above the automatic relegation spot has been proposed by a working party featuring representatives from six clubs. But several clubs are sceptical and the idea of a four-team play-off for the title looks set to be raised when all 12 clubs discuss the plans for the first time.

Thompson said: "The proposals that have been put to us contain a lot of decent ideas and a lot of good things have been tabled. However, if there is to be a 10-team league - and I still do not think that is right from a purely footballing sense - why can't it be more radical?"

He added: "I strongly believe that fans of teams outside the Old Firm have become fed up of those two sharing the title between them.

"It is incredible and extremely regrettable that the last non-Old Firm title win was 25 years ago.

"I think we need to go further and make things more interesting at the top of the table as well as having promotion/relegation play-offs."

The 12 clubs were scheduled to meet on Monday but the travel problems created by further snow forced the meeting to be rescheduled for January 4.

Source: PA