Derek Adams believes expanding the Scottish Premiership would raise the standard for fans.
The Ross County manager hit the headlines over the weekend after he slammed the standard of football he’s seen since returning from a nine-year spell managing in England, most recently with League Two club Morecambe.
He labelled the standard “shocking” after County were edged out 1-0 at home to Dundee with a stoppage-time goal from Joe Shaughnessy.
He even suggested Morecambe were “100 times better” than the group of players at County, which he has inherited from Malky Mackay, who was sacked last month.
Adams has since apologised to his players for that remark, although his views on poor standards, he said, were made in the context of the five games he’s bossed since taking over.
Ahead of this Saturday’s home clash with Hibs, County are 10th in the division, only one point above 11th-placed Motherwell.
Talks of a bigger top-flight are never silent and they have been voiced afresh by Livingston manager David Martindale, who feels a league larger than 12 clubs would not only raise the standards but provide a bit more job security for managers.
Competitive Scottish Championship
Adams agrees that adding clubs from the competitive second-tier would be a step in the right direction for Scottish football.
He said: “I do think it would make it more open. Teams could play with a wee bit more risk and play more expansive football.
“Teams that play more expansive are those with more resources and better players.
“The other teams are all of a muchness and we’re trying to get the best out of them.
“I think an expanded league would help us. Financially, it wouldn’t help all teams, but we have got to look to the bigger picture in Scottish football.
“Look at the Scottish Championship. It’s very competitive this year. There are a lot of teams that compete very well in our top league. I think (a bigger Premiership) would help the product.”
🎟️ Yan Dhanda netted directly from a corner last time we hosted Hibernian at the Global Energy Stadium!
Tickets for Saturday's match are still available 👉 https://t.co/fifp93wsY5 pic.twitter.com/neqaz5jTRU
— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) December 19, 2023
Finances are barrier to expansion bid
While Adams would welcome such a move, he believes too many top-table clubs would not want to risk the loss of income which comes from being within a 12-club division.
He added: “It would help the flow of the game. You would see a more entertaining game.
“You would see teams play in a different style.
“At this moment, we’re worried the quality between so many teams are similar and it’s small margins to win games.
“If the league was expanded, you would see a bigger space between the bottom teams and the middle teams. That would help us.
“Finances are the biggest problem. Teams don’t want to give up the finances you gain from being in a 12-team league.”
Ross County’s Derek Adams says sorry to players after outburst
Festive points won’t impact transfers
The Staggies manager, meanwhile, explained the amount of points his team earn from games against Hibs, Rangers and Hearts ahead of the New Year won’t impact on his transfer activity in the winter window.
He said: “It will have no bearing on it.
“We have a group of players here who are contracted. And we have to get the best out of them going forward.
“We have performed well in stages since we came in. We should have taken more from the game against Dundee on Saturday. There are a group of teams fighting against each other.”
County seek to cut the gap between themselves and Hibs, who are sixth, to four points when the sides meet at the Global Energy Stadium this Saturday.
Next Wednesday, they face Viaplay Cup winners Rangers at Ibrox three days before a trip to Tynecastle to tackle Hearts.
❄️ In association with the @SPFLTrust, we hosted 100 of our over-65 season ticket holders in our Victoria Suite to enjoy some complimentary hospitality at our match against Dundee.
A great afternoon was had by those who attended! @TRCF2015 pic.twitter.com/8zxmOvMnzY
— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) December 18, 2023
