Bravo to Dundee for pushing their American dream to play Celtic in Philadelphia or wherever because Scottish football needs change — something a bit more sensible might just be needed, though.
Playing a ‘home’ game against Celtic in the US is a ridiculous idea I just can’t see the bigwigs allowing but it’s great that some clubs are looking for change.
If the SPFL do approve the American dream then I can only applaud them for allowing a wee bit of innovation into our ailing game.
But I can’t help but think they should be looking at a complete overhaul of Scottish league football instead.
Falkirk chairman Doug Henderson recently called for an expansion of the current set-up to a 16-team top division and I couldn’t help but agree with everything he said.
Not just because it might benefit my club, Queen of the South, but because Scottish football is stale and needs invigorating.
Henderson said: “Our league structure is out of kilter with the economics of football in Scotland.
“Playing other clubs four times a season is not attractive to most football supporters — as surveys show — and there is a slippage of attendance for many clubs in the Premiership.”
The trouble is the current top-flight clubs are unwilling to give up their two paydays a season when Celtic fans fill the away ends — next season it’s looking like four paydays if Rangers keep their place at the top of the Championship.
Moving to a 16-team top flight would be a gamble for most club’s finances but Scottish football needs it.
Take away the ‘not Dingwall again’ feeling for away fans and the ones on the fence might just fancy a wee day out up North if it’s only happening once a season, giving bigger crowds.
Barry Hearn came and gave the football beaks a rollicking this time last year but after a short flurry of action afterward, the SPFL seem to have fallen back into their old ways.
“It’s not just the level of football. Two donkeys make a great race. You don’t have to be the best in the world to be entertaining,” Hearn said.
Scottish football is never going to compete with the quality of the big European leagues but if it’s affordable and entertaining people will come and watch.
Sorting out our dull league system might just be the jolt our game needs.
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