A welcome step forward for the Scottish game

The formation of the Scottish Professional Football League is not going to solve all the problems of the game.

Common sense suggests any agreement that took 15 hours to thrash out is unlikely to be the most rock solid ever.

Compromise, clearly, has had to be reached.

Different clubs have different agendas and all have had to have their say. The amount of time eaten up tells you that.

The formation of the SPFL is, however, a step forward.

A step forward for the clubs concerned, and for the professional game in this country.

It is a foundation on which concrete plans for the new season can be laid.

They say the devil is in the detail and I had mixed feelings on learning about some of the procedural processes surrounding the new unified body.

I think it is disappointing the 30 SFL clubs had to resign and apply to join the new organisation.

The Scottish Football League has a proud history stretching back over a century. It is one of the oldest leagues anywhere in the world. For that reason alone you have to think it is a shame the new set-up could not have adopted its name.

And the fact that half of the six-man board will be supplied from the top flight Celtic’s Eric Riley, Steven Thompson of Dundee United and Duncan Fraser of Aberdeen points to it being less of a collaboration and more of a takeover.

With Les Gray of Hamilton Accies, one of the most vocal members of the would-be First Division rebels, also involved, we know where the power will lie. The rebels knew that ultimately, if the SFL’s smaller clubs did not fall in line, they always had the option of resigning to take up with the SPL.

They have chased the money and now they’re set to reap the rewards.

Talking of power, I welcome the news Rangers are to have full voting rights from day one.

This won’t please everyone. In fact, it is liable to anger some.

It does, however, recognise the influence the Light Blues have in the Scottish game.

This comes from having a fan base that can deliver a 50,000 sell-out for a game against Third Division opposition.

It also comes from their great history and tradition.

Some will argue it is a different club from the one which won all the trophies. It is not. It is a different company. The club remains the same.

I have maintained this throughout and will continue to do so.

They have accepted their punishment and started their journey up through the leagues last season by winning the Third Division.

The Second Division title will follow in the new season and there is every chance the First Division will follow the year after that.

To have denied them a say would have been churlish, and the fact the new set-up has recognised as much is encouraging.