'Complete minefield' - Aberdeen chairman wants temporary reconstruction for Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer

The Aberdeen chairman has issued concerns about permanent changes

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack has compared league reconstruction to the rearranging of the deckchairs on the Titanic.

The Dons chief doesn’t want a permanent change to the league system, preferring a temporary switch for next season.

The SPFL’s sub-group for league reconstruction, led by Hearts’ Ann Budge and Hamilton’s Les Gray, are due to meet for the second time today with St Mirren chairman Gordon Scott having replaced Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster.

Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack wants temporary league reconstruction. Picture: SNS

Cormack has expressed his concern regarding the timing of league reconstruction, believing something so important shouldn’t be undertaken in a time of crisis with clubs unsure when they will be able to return to action and also in front of fans.

“If we spend the next two months fighting through reorganising the whole league we are focusing on the wrong thing,” he said.

“For me, this is almost like we are trying to reorganise the deckchairs on the Titanic while it’s going down. We have to focus on surviving, that’s the number one thing.

“So, for me, that’s why I am not supportive of any permanent changes right now because one, we have other things to do.

“The worst time to make any strategic or long-term decision is in the middle of a crisis. The worst thing we could do is put something else in place that doesn’t actually work across the board.

“How all this came about was from the position Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer are in. It was to show empathy on this situation we are in for one season, so nobody is unfairly penalised.”

‘Gerrymandering’

Earlier this week, Stenhousemuir chairman Iain McMenemy, writing in The Scotsman, called league reconstruction a sham after hearing the view of Premiership clubs wanting a temporary fix.

“In my opinion they should change the name of the ‘reconstruction task force’ as it isn’t about reconstruction, it’s gerrymandering; nothing more than redrawing the boundaries for self-gain,” he said.

“There are a number of clubs that want meaningful reconstruction, so I would advise the powers that be to start talking, otherwise their plans won’t make it past the first vote.”

Cormack has proposed a 14-team Premiership for a campaign before the leagues realign which would mean increased relegation.

The businessman is wary of the “minefield” which comes with redistribution of funds.

He said: “What’s the fair thing to do? My view is to have a 14-team Premiership for one season and dovetail that through the other leagues. And at the end of the next season it rectifies itself.

“That would mean more teams relegated next season but everyone would have a fighting chance to stay up.

“This thing has morphed from being a solution to help Hearts, Partick and Stranraer to many, many clubs seeing this is an opportunity to not just reorganise the whole league but as we are seeing with this task force, they are also talking about a redistribution of income as well.

“That is a complete minefield because you have all sorts of opinions and views there.”