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Tannadice chief Stephen Thompson prepared to listen to SPL proposals

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Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson will join representatives of the 11 other SPL clubs at Hampden Park as they try to reach some sort of consensus on Scottish football’s future.

The SPL strategic review group comprising officials from Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, Hibs, Motherwell and St Mirren presented plans for two divisions of 10 earlier this month but agreement still looks some way off, with several chairmen, including Thompson, currently against that proposal.

SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster has spent the intervening two weeks personally meeting and bidding to persuade the likes of Thompson and Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov to adopt the original plan, but he also challenged those in the no camp United, the Jam Tarts, Kilmarnock and Inverness Caley Thistle to put forward an alternative.

There have also been cracks in the supposed consensus of the strategy group, with St Mirren expressing their preference for a 14-team league, while Motherwell were also undecided after the last meeting.

Doncaster has also met fans’ representatives after a Supporters Direct poll revealed that almost 90% of fans asked were opposed to a 10-team top flight.

He is looking for agreement in principle on the plans but no formal vote will be taken, as previously anticipated.

“The meeting on Monday has always been, and remains, about what the clubs want and what they don’t want,” said Doncaster.

“Yes, there will be voting on elements or the whole of the plan, but it will only be an in-principle vote.

“You need a consensus emerging from the meeting, whether you ask people to put their hands in the air or not.

“Whatever happens on Monday, we will keep working to try and achieve that consensus.”

The plans also include provision for play-offs to decide a second relegation/promotion place and changes to the calendar to incorporate a July start to the season and a winter break.

United chief Thompson has always stressed he is in favour of change but it needs to be the right change.

He remains unconvinced of the merits of a return to 10 but will go into Hampden ready to listen to the arguments.

“It has been difficult for those who were not involved in the strategy group to get all the information we would have liked,” said Thompson.

“Now we have the chance to ask proper questions.

“I still do not feel a 10 is right for Scottish football but I am not going into the meeting with a closed mind.”