EUROPEAN football chief Lars-Christer Olsson has argued that the winners of the Scottish Premiership should be guaranteed a place in the group stages of the Champions League every season.

UEFA, European football's governing body, are currently in discussions over a change in format to the continent's premier club competition, to be implemented by 2024.

The 'Swiss model' set-up is believed to be favoured by UEFA, which would see an additional three spots open up in the Champions League.

And Olsson - who served as chief executive of UEFA between 2003 and 2007 - thinks that any shake-up must prioritise domestic champions over clubs from the so-called 'Big Five' leagues in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

The Herald:

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Olsson said: "We think the three extra positions should be allocated in a way that more associations can be represented in the Champions League.

"It must not be given to one of the 'Big Five' associations.

"We are also of the opinion that the so-called country cap of the Champions League should stay at maximum five teams from the same association.

"We actually prefer champions from Scotland, Denmark or Switzerland to qualify - rather than team number six from England or Spain."