Source: Team_Talk
JJ didn't want 10-team league
Hearts boss Jim Jefferies is glad the move to reduce the Scottish Premier League from 12 to 10 teams appears to have been thwarted.[LNB] It is expected that the SPL will announce on Monday following their AGM at Hampden that they have dropped the idea, which has been met with resistance with many clubs more keen on increasing the number of teams.[LNB]It has been reported that the league will examine the possibility of introducing promotion/relegation play-offs.[LNB]Plans to merge the SPL with the Scottish Football League, and the possibility of an SPL television channel, will reportedly also be discussed.[LNB]After watching his men beat Royal Antwerp 1-0 in their challenge match at Tynecastle on Sunday, Jefferies said: "Some people wanted the 10, I could never understand that.[LNB]"I could from the money side of things but from a footballing aspect it was too tight a league.[LNB]"I was an advocate of a bigger league and I wanted it extended and I told Neil Doncaster (SPL chief executive) that.[LNB]"I'd rather it stay as it is than take it to 10 so if that is their decision it is a sensible one."[LNB]Jefferies was happy with the way his players performed against the Belgian side and insisted that they will be ready for the SPL opener against champions Rangers at Ibrox next Saturday.[LNB]Jamie Hamill's 85th-minute penalty, after substitute Arvydas Novikovas had been tripped by Marvin Peersman, was enough to win the trophy put up to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Tynecastle Stadium.[LNB]"We will be ready, no doubt about it," the Gorgie boss said.[LNB]"I can sit down and work out what we are going to do and see what players are best to use.[LNB]"There are one or two who have a bit to find but that will come shortly.[LNB]"But the team we pick, we will work on them Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.[LNB]"We will work on when we have the ball and when we don't have the ball.[LNB]"Pre-season is all over now and we will be ready for Saturday."[LNB]Jefferies will discover on Monday whether midfielder Rudi Skacel, who is out of contract, will sign another deal.[LNB]He said: "I don't know the ins and outs totally and I hoped it would be sorted out over the weekend but I have been made aware that we will get it sorted out one way or the other (on Monday)."
