Livingston’s Mark Burchill: Spend and secure the golden Premiership ticket

Scotland’s Championship outsiders will spend in the January transfer window to try and secure the “golden ticket” of a fourth place play-off spot.

That’s the belief of Livingston assistant boss Mark Burchill, who argues any one of seven clubs from outwith the Big Three of Hearts, Hibs and Rangers could be involved in the chase.

“Basically you are talking about a double whammy,” he said.

“Fourth will give you the chance to win your way up to the Premiership, and the guaranteed increase in revenue that would bring.

“And there is the chance to make a right few quid from the games as well because, let’s be honest, it is going to be Hearts, Hibs or Rangers you are playing.

“I am sure some clubs will be waiting until January to see whether or not they have a decent chance of achieving fourth. If they do, I have no doubt that they will then try and gamble a bit.

“They will put an extra few quid because if you can get themselves into the play-offs, it is going to be a golden ticket.

“It won’t be us because of our transfer embargo. But we are happy with the squad and we would back ourselves to have an outside chance.

“We will have a look at the way Hearts and Rangers worked away in similar circumstances. But the embargo hasn’t hit us too badly because we didn’t have any money to sign any players anyway!”

The Light Blues latest financial worries have led to fears the Govan club could slip into administration, incurring a 25-point penalty in the process. But with not one, but four places, to aim at, would they not get up anyway?

“I am sure all Rangers fans, those connected with the club and everyone with the good of Scottish football at heart will be hoping they don’t go into administration again,” said Burchill, who numbers Celtic and Dundee among his former employers.

“If they do, it has to be said it would be an intriguing scenario. I say that because Rangers have so much quality in their squad. They pay good wages and have picked up good players as a result.

“The question would be whether they could keep them all. Maybe some would have to be let go, you don’t know. If they could, then perhaps fourth could be achievable, even with a 25-point penalty.

“It is not something I would like to see, though, because we have been in administration ourselves at Livingston a couple of times and it is not a good place to be.

“What would be better is a genuine contest for the automatic promotion with a resurgent Hearts, and possibly Hibs, playing their part.”