McCoist backs SFL league reform plan

Friday 16 November 2012

Rangers manager Ally McCoist has backed Scottish Football League proposals for league reconstruction, insisting change is needed for the good of the Scottish game.

Ally McCoist says the SFL reforms are needed for the good of the Scottish game

The 30 SFL clubs voted unanimously earlier this week to pursue a proposal which would see a switch to a three-tier 16-10-16 league structure.

Scottish Premier League clubs have not yet been involved in talks and McCoist acknowledged potential problems in reaching an agreement across the board, but believes the SFL plans are worth consideration.

He said: "I saw the idea being put forward by the SFL for 16-10-16 and I actually think that looks all right. "I've been away down south so I've not had a chance to have a good look at it but my initial reaction would be positive. "The majority of people realise that something has to be done to help the Scottish game moving forward and I think the SFL proposal is certainly worth looking at. "It has to be done for the benefit of the game and all the clubs within the Scottish game. I don't think we are going to get total agreement with all the clubs, that's for certain. "We, as a club, do welcome change because nobody has had any more change than us in the past eight months. "Anything that benefits the game, we would certainly welcome. Change, in my opinion, is required and I think it will happen." McCoist is also open to the idea of Rangers participating in a European regional league in the future. The issue was discussed at Celtic's annual general meeting today, where chief executive Peter Lawwell said he believes UEFA is coming round to the idea of expanding leagues beyond borders in a bid to reduce the disparity in European football. McCoist, whose pre-match press conference was attended by representatives from the Dutch, French and Spanish media today, said: "It's definitely something we would consider. You want to play at as high a level as you possibly can. "I don't know what criteria that would involve further down the line if and when it happened. But I'd like to think people at this club would be available and ready for any eventuality. "We would want to play in as high a league as we possibly could but we have to prepare for what we're faced with at the moment - and that's a gradual increase back into the top league." Rangers are currently plying their trade in the Irn-Bru Third Division after being consigned to liquidation in the summer. Asked if he believes the proposals could result in a quicker than anticipated return to the top flight for the Light Blues, McCoist said: "We will just have to react to what happens. "We are planning for SFL3, SFL2, SFL1 and gradually working our way back up to the top league. That's the way we have to plan." As well as backing a change in league structure, McCoist also believes Scottish football has too many football authorities. He said: "With the SPL, SFL, SFA there are an awful lot of bodies to be honest. I don't think we are a big enough nation to require that. I would certainly like one body running the SPL and the SFL. "That's only my own opinion. If we had one body running the football side of things, I would be all for that." Meanwhile, McCoist says he would have no problems with a wage cap being introduced at Rangers. Reports this week claimed the club's owners want to restrict wages to 33% of turnover as part of share issue. Speaking ahead of tomorrow's game against East Stirling, McCoist said: "Over-spending in any business can be negligent and can be to the detriment of the business and our football club is no different. Iwould imagine I would have a budget to work within and I'm fine with that. "It's important, having been down the road we have been down, that we don't go near that road again and that's the important thing. "A lot of people will look at it from the negative point of view but it can only be positive in terms of the running of the club, which is the most important thing."

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McCoist backs SFL league reform plan

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