Rangers offer alternative vision of Scotland's future

Rangers chief executive Green urged football bosses to reconsider a 14-14-14 format as an alternative to the current league reconstruction plans being discussed.

The outspoken Yorkshireman wants his idea to be considered, even though time is in short supply with the SPL and SFL set to vote on their proposals later this month with a view to introducing them next season.

Green though believes that fans of all stripes are unimpressed by the 12-12-18 model and wants a rethink.

In a statement published on the official Rangers website, he said: “The recent widespread debate on the reconstruction of Scottish football has been welcome and I am glad that Ally McCoist and myself have contributed and helped stimulate discussion rather than watch everyone sleepwalk into a solution that very few, if any, football fans across Scotland want.

“I am fully aware that the interests of fans and the duties of directors of football clubs, who have to balance books, do not always align.

“However it seems absurd that, when most fans are so implacably opposed to the 12-12-18 model, their views are being cast aside.

“To be absolutely clear, it would have been easy for me, on behalf of Rangers, to support this model.

“There is no model on the table that offers our club a potentially quicker route back to the highest echelons of Scottish football.

“However, I believe that while all clubs have to look out for their own interests, the greater good of Scottish football cannot be ignored.

“I would like to set out what Rangers believes to be a workable way forward that may appeal to fans of all clubs.

“First, we think any reconstruction should be implemented not next season but the following season so that every club knows what it is playing for at the start of the season.

“Secondly, we believe that further consideration should be given to a 14-14-14 model, which can be constructed in a way that ensures there is no loss of games but will deliver greater competition through the leagues, particularly with the implementation of play-offs.

“I cannot understand why this model has been so readily discounted when fans are clearly looking for larger leagues.

“I know there are various opinions regarding splits in such leagues but they cannot be any more complicated than what is now being proposed.”