Scottish Football League chief executive David Longmuir has hit out at the clubs who snubbed Thursday's Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final draw at Hampden.
Holders Rangers, Falkirk, Motherwell and Dundee United were not represented at the national stadium while Celtic sent coach Garry Parker and Kilmarnock sent number two goalkeeper Alan Combe. Zander Diamond and Chris Maguire travelled down from Aberdeen while Liam Craig was there for St Johnstone.
Longmuir said: "Sponsors want to be associated with the personalities and players so I just wanted to remind clubs to attend such a thing as a draw to give as much support to the sponsorship as possible at a time when we are trying to renegotiate."
It is the Co-op's last year of their sponsorship agreement which has lasted 12 years and has reportedly brought around £15million into Scottish football.
With this in mind, Longmuir pointedly spoke before the draw of the clubs that "didn't bother" turning up, asking them to "think again" in order that "we don't lose this investment in Scottish football".
After a draw which paired Rangers with Killie at Rugby Park, sent Celtic to Perth to face St Johnstone, handed Aberdeen a home tie against Falkirk and Motherwell a Fir Park encounter with Dundee United, Longmuir continued his point.
Longmuir said: "The Co-operative Insurance is one of Scottish sport's biggest sponsors, not just football. They have been with us for 12 years and they are part of the fabric of the game.
"I am just delighted that they are with us and we can maintain that relationship. The point I was making is that we need to be a bit more thoughtful about how sponsorship works, what works for a sponsor and why they are sponsoring.
Longmuir denied he was voicing his displeasure on behalf of the sponsors.
"This is just me," he said. "I have gone out on a limb and not consulted the Co-op on this. But having been involved in sponsorship for many years, I know what a sponsor needs and wants. I am happy to remind clubs to be a bit more thoughtful."
Source: PA
