Clubs cannot surrender to short-termism when proposing a new future for our game.
That is the view of Dundee United managing director Mal Brannigan on SPFL reconstruction.
The league is locked in talks over a potential re-organisation of divisions with United guaranteed a seat at the top table after the vote to call the lower leagues and dish out titles.
Some, including co-chair of the working group, Hearts chief Ann Budge, say any increase in the number of clubs in the Premiership will be a short-term fix for up to two seasons.
However, Brannigan is keen for any new structure to remain in place after the passing of the coronavirus pandemic.
“When the split was first mooted a number of years ago there would have been positive and negatives but clubs and players have got used to it,” he said.
“We know what the parameters are now.
“For me, if there is to be re-organisation, I would like there to be a permanency about it rather than a temporary fix on the back of the virus and the effect it’s had.
“We’ve got a chance and a really positive opportunity to re-shape it if that’s what the clubs decide to do.”
Brannigan believes a 14-team top-tier will be the favoured format but insists the Terrors are planning for all eventualities.
He added: “Ordinarily, you’d already know the parameters you’re going to be working in next season and our view is that we will look at a 12-team model in the first instance.
“There is an awful lot of work that needs to be done and they have some good people in place within that working group across a number of divisions.
“You have to look at the facts first and once we know what they are we can make a decision.
“If you have a difference of opinion to somebody else, now is the right time to give it.
“As a member of a collective of 42, if we think their proposal is the right thing for Scottish football then we’ll vote for it.
“But we’re not quite sure what those will be at the moment but the favourite seems to be a division of 14.
“We need to find a balance up of what revenue will be generated centrally and spread out through the leagues.
“Of course, the Premiership will get the largest chunk of that so if it goes to a 14-team league then the same pot is shared out between more people.
“The potential upside of that is Hearts will most probably stay up and traditionally their attendances and Dundee United attendances have been quite high.
“The gate receipts that come from that and the additional commercial revenue would be beneficial.
“The overall goal has to be making sure this is the right thing for Scottish football, not just in the short term, but it’s for the benefit of the medium and long-term health of the game.”
After a protracted saga to get to this point, Brannigan admits he was delighted with the outcome to call the lower leagues, even if they weren’t able to see their title campaign out.
He continued: “I’m absolutely delighted we’ll be back in the Premiership next season.
“The overriding thing over the last few weeks has been the SPFL’s decision, from all 42 member clubs, and it is now public knowledge how all of those clubs voted, including us.
“We were very much for it. We have been very clear about that all the way through in our communications.
“We’ve always said we’ll look after the club and Scottish football, but the one thing we would never jeopardise is our chances of getting promoted.
“We believe we have got there on merit.
“There were individual, divisional meetings and all the other members within our league were very clear on what they were looking for out of any potential early closure of the season.
“It took a little bit of time but, thankfully, we got there in the end.”
He added: “We have to work with the governing bodies.
“In the club’s view, the SPFL and the SFA have done their utmost to try to continue with the season as it was but I don’t think the world probably realised quite the impact the coronavirus would have.
“We had to continue to adapt, as any other body has had to, to react to what we’re faced with when we wake up the next morning.
“My view is it was a sensible approach to jointly-managed the process and work with its members.
“You feel for the clubs that haven’t had the opportunity to either fight for promotion or getting out of a relegation spot but there wasn’t going to be a way where everyone can be a winner in this process.”
