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Ranger chief exec backs calls for revamp of Scottish football

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain insists Scottish football is in need of change. All 12 clubs will meet next Monday to discuss plans to radically overhaul the game north of the border.

Up for consideration will be proposals for a two-tier SPL, with 10 teams in each division. That would mean a 36-match league season and scrapping the controversial league split.

An earlier start to the season, coupled with a winter break, could also be introduced under the plans.

Rangers are one of the clubs represented on a strategic review group - along with SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster, chairman Ralph Topping and representatives from Hibernian, St Mirren, Motherwell, Celtic and Aberdeen - who have spent the last eight months discussing ways to reform the domestic game.

"I don't think it would be inappropriate to say that change is required," said Bain.

"I think everybody associated with Scottish football, while very proud of our game, knows that maybe there needs to be a change.

"Whether that is in structure or in terms of a mid-to-long-term strategy development, I would certainly say that there needs to be a change.

"However, that's up to the clubs as a whole and not just one club in particular commenting."

While backing the idea for change, Bain declined to specify which plans he is in favour of until the rest of the SPL clubs have an opportunity to digest the proposals.

He added: "There have been talks over the last weeks and months which Rangers has played a part in terms of the strategy group.

"These talks have now come to a conclusion in the sense that there is document there that will be circulated to the other member clubs.

"For me to go into the details of that document, and which aspects of it that I support and maybe don't support, would be inappropriate.

"We are not really at that stage because the other member clubs haven't had the chance to digest that.

"If we take a longer look and a longer term approach to the development of Scottish football, we can address things like our ailing co-efficient and the development of youngsters. At times we wonder of we're bringing through as many as we can.

"If we address all these issues on a wider scale, then I think it will lead to an improvement for the individual clubs as well as the league."

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