SPL no time for change - George Fraser
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Caley Thistle chairman George Fraser
GEORGE Fraser believes time has run out for those proposing changes to the structure of the Scottish Premier League next season.
Caley Thistle’s chairman is adamant moves to reduce the top flight to 10 teams cannot happen because sides have only just over four weeks until they return for pre-season training.
“I would anticipate now that given the timescale of where we are at the end of the season that there certainly will be no changes at all for next year,” he said.
“There cannot be any because clubs are now planning for the new season as far as squads are concerned and it would be inappropriate if there were any changes.”
Last month Mr Fraser attended the latest meeting to discuss league reconstruction, which included representatives of the 12 clubs which made up last season’s Scottish elite.
Under the plans being put forward by the SPL’s Strategic Working Group, the team that finished bottom of the restructured SPL would be automatically relegated to a new 12-team second tier, while those who occupied eighth and ninth place would play-off against each other to decide who also goes down.
The new system was planned to be created in time for the start of the 2012/13 season, meaning league places would be decided next season.
A scheduled vote on the proposals was postponed in April and it was widely reported that a vote was expected in the middle of this month — but that has not yet happened.
“There has been no further dialogue as far as proposed meetings on league reconstruction whatsoever,” commented Fraser, who thought there might be an update on the situation following tomorrow’s Scottish Cup final.
“It would be highly unlikely, in my view, that any changes next season would be voted for.”
A 10-2 majority is required to push through the change, which has been the subject of discussions for six months.
Caley Thistle have staunchly opposed the plans alongside Kilmarnock.
Dundee United, Motherwell and St Mirren are understood to have expressed doubts as to the viability of the new league, while the other clubs — including both halves of the Old Firm — are understood to be in favour of change to the current 12-team set-up.
“From our point of view we would prefer the status quo as opposed to going to a 10-team league,” Fraser added.
Last month he told The Inverness Courier he feared that if changes were made it could make it impossible for Caley Thistle to plan for the future.
However, after watching manager Terry Butcher lead Inverness to four consecutive victories to close the campaign and secure seventh spot he is now looking to finish further up the table next season.
“The intention was always to remain in the SPL, so to equal our highest finish ever means that we have to look back on it as a very successful season,” Fraser concluded.
“Our record of going 12 months undefeated away from home was a fantastic achievement for the club.
“It has to be our target next year to try and improve. An improvement would be top six and Terry is already looking at new recruits for next year, so I look forward to an exciting start to the season.”
