Opportunity knocks

07/07/12: GMc:- "Why not make a decision now as to which one of us is in the SPL next season and let's get on with it?"

Gerry McCabe claims that it is quite embarrassing how long it has taken to sort out the composition of the coming season's leagues. The SFL season starts in four weeks time but still Dunfermline do not know whether to make plans for the SPL or the SFL.

"Rangers are out and either Dundee or Dunfermline are in. Why not make a decision now as to which one of us is in the SPL next season and let's get on with it?"

The 55 year old Assistant Manager who has experience of playing or coaching at more than a dozen clubs in five different countries, also feels that currently there is a great opportunity to make dramatic changes to the league structure that would encourage more fans to attend games. He firmly believes that the top flight should contain sixteen teams:-

"For the benefit of Scottish football reconstruction has to come at the end of next season. If there were sixteen teams you would play 30 games. If you are in the play offs that is another two, if you are at the top of the league these teams are more likely to get runs in the cup or even in Europe. With cup games, the minimum games you are going to play is 34 and if you have a winter break it is not about the quantity of games but the quality of the product.

"In this economic climate are fans going to pay to see needless games? The big picture is that the product is poor on the park and that's why the fans are not turning out. If you are playing Celtic or Rangers once at home every season, all your fans will come out and all their fans will come because they would only be coming here once a season.

"The current league set up is too cut throat and you don't get the chance to bring boys through. Without change, youth academies are not going to get a chance and in the long run Scottish football would benefit not just at home but internationally.

"Our kids have got to be given a chance. We have got to encourage our young players to be knocking on the first team door at the ages of 17 and 18. At the moment they reach a level and don't go on to the next level because they are stifled. There is talent out there but young players get disillusioned when they don't get the opportunity."

Gerry sees the new U20 league in Scotland as a help but possibly not a solution to the problem.

"When I played at Hibs I played in the reserves with guys like Joe Harper, Ally MacLeod, Pat Stanton and Bobby Smith. I was young but it brought you on because it was great to play with these experienced players. There is a big gap between youth and first team football but that big gap has been created by us because the kids have not developed as much as they should have."

Paul Gallacher wants his return to action to be in the SPL