Scottish Football Restructuring Proposal Aims to Modernise the National Game
A comprehensive new proposal to restructure Scottish football has been launched by supporter and former SPFL scout Joe Quinn to modernise the game, improve competitiveness, and strengthen its long-term commercial and sporting future. The proposal, which has already generated early discussion across sections of the Scottish football community, outlines a long-term vision to improve league structure, financial sustainability, youth development, women’s football, supporter engagement, and broadcast value. Joe Quinn believes that Scottish football is at a crossroads and must act now to avoid falling behind comparable European leagues. “Scottish football has an incredible history, passionate supporters, and strong community foundations, but the current structure risks holding the game back. This proposal is about creating a more competitive, modern, and entertaining product that can grow both domestically and internationally.” Key Proposals Include: A 14-14-14 League Structure A redesigned league system aimed at improving competitiveness, reducing repetitive fixtures, and strengthening promotion and relegation pathways across the pyramid. Enhanced Pyramid and National League System A stronger link between the SPFL and lower tiers to improve access, sustainability, and long-term development of clubs. League Cup Reform The current group stage would be replaced with a knockout format to increase excitement, competitiveness, and fan engagement. Improved TV Rights and Commercial Strategy The proposal calls for a more strategic approach to broadcasting, including Friday and Monday night matches and greater visibility for lower divisions. The proposal argues that Scottish football’s current TV deals are undervalued and that a stronger structure would justify increased investment. Ethical Sponsorship and Long-Term Growth The plan encourages a shift toward responsible, non-gambling sponsorship that aligns with modern football teams’ values and supports long-term sustainability. Youth Development Reform A national Under-18 and Under-21 league structure to strengthen pathways and retain talent in Scotland. Women’s Football Development A structured, competitive pyramid designed to grow the women’s game and increase visibility and standards. Supporter Engagement and Transparency Creation of a national supporter body, the Fans Collective of Scottish Football (FCSF), to improve communication, fan representation, and collaboration across clubs. National Team Vision The proposal also outlines a vision for both the men’s and women’s national teams to play selected matches across Scotland in cities and communities that do not regularly host international football, while keeping Hampden Park as the primary home. This approach is designed to boost local economies, increase grassroots engagement, and inspire the next generation of players and supporters. Driving National Conversation “This isn’t about criticism or division. It’s about starting a constructive national conversation. Scottish football belongs to everyone, and meaningful change will only happen if we work together.” The proposal is intended as a discussion platform and roadmap for future reform rather than a fixed solution. Media Opportunities Joe Quinn is available for interviews, radio and TV discussions, podcasts, and feature articles. Contact: Joe Quinn Email: joseph.a.quinn@hotmail.co.uk Mobile: 07967 213586
Hearts loanee given unique derby experience after Tottenham move
New Tottenham Hotspur boss Igor Tudor promoted Hearts loanee James Wilson to the bench after the youngster impressed the Spurs management team ahead of the North London Derby. Despite not featuring in the match against Arsenal, the 18-year-old would have gained a new viewpoint of one of English football’s biggest games. Missing several players through injury, Tudor may turn to the Scotland international in the coming months. Wilson had endured a frustrating start to the season for Hearts. But after two appearances for Tottenham’s U-21’s side, he was thrust into the match squad against their bitter rivals. Quite the turn of events for a player who fell down the pecking order in the Gorgie ranks. Despite preferring the likes of Claudio Braga and Pierre Landry Kabore, Derek McInnes had advised that he did not want the youngster to make the London move. James wanted to go, so you don’t want to keep a player who then becomes unhappy,” said McInnes. “I couldn’t guarantee him minutes, such is the way it’s been. I told him and his agent that our preference was to stay, fight for his place, be part of something. “We’d get him a loan in Scotland if need be, to top his minutes up, and we can maybe recall him – still get the best of both worlds. “But his head was turned with the Tottenham thing. First it was Arsenal, then Arsenal went quiet, and then all of a sudden, Tottenham came to the table. “I don’t think it’s the right move for him. Ultimately, it’s academy football and I think he’s better than that. But it was something James wanted to do. “I hope it goes well for him because he’s a great kid. We’ll see how it plays out. I just need to concentrate on the players who are here and who want to be here and play their part.” The move may turn fortuitous for the Hearts Academy graduate, who may feature on the Premier League stage before the end of the season.
How Arsenal clinically picked apart Tottenham’s flaws
Arsenal’s 4-1 victory in the north London derby wasn’t just about superior talent — it was a calculated dismantling of Tottenham’s tactical setup. Arsenal’s 4-1 victory in the north London derby wasn’t just about superior talent — it was a calculated dismantling of Tottenham’s tactical setup. While the scoreline ultimately reflected the gulf in quality, the Gunners’ real edge came from how intelligently they targeted the weaknesses in Spurs’ new system under Igor Tudor. Right flank dominance set the tone Operating in a 3-5-2 shape and trying to be front-footed at home, Tottenham Hotspur left spaces that Arsenal were quick to exploit — particularly down their right side. The partnership of Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber proved decisive. Their movement, timing and understanding repeatedly stretched Spurs’ defensive structure. Timber’s varied attacking runs — overlapping, underlapping and drifting inside — combined with Saka’s direct threat to create constant overloads. Even when the contest was still tight in the first half, this was clearly Arsenal’s most dangerous route. Spurs forced into reactive defending Tottenham struggled not just because of individual matchups but because of the distances their players had to cover defensively. To support wing-back Djed Spence, Spurs repeatedly had to pull players out of position. At different moments: Xavi Simons dropped deep from his second-striker role Pape Matar Sarr shuffled across from midfield Micky van de Ven stepped out from centre-back That constant reshuffling created confusion and mismatches — most notably when Sarr was isolated against Saka in the build-up to Arsenal’s opener. Against a side of Arsenal’s attacking quality, that kind of uncertainty was always likely to be punished. Timber’s freedom proved costly As the half wore on, Arsenal increasingly found joy down that right channel. Spurs’ structure often left Timber with time and space to pick his passes — including the delivery that set up Viktor Gyokeres for the second goal. It highlighted a key issue: Tottenham’s shape looked organised on paper but became stretched once Arsenal began rotating and combining at speed. Arsenal refused to retreat Spurs competed well early on and the game remained competitive at the break, but the second half exposed their fatigue — particularly given injury absences. What stood out from Arsenal, though, was their mentality once ahead. After being pegged back in a recent match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, there had been questions about their game management. Here, Mikel Arteta’s side showed a different mindset. Rather than protecting a 2-1 lead, they kept pushing forward and effectively killed the contest. Eze and Rice drove the midfield battle In central areas, Eberechi Eze delivered one of his strongest displays in recent weeks. Operating as a number 10, he consistently found pockets of space that occupied Spurs’ midfield and created further problems. His influence, combined with the energy of Declan Rice, gave Arsenal multiple attacking routes. Rice, in particular, responded impressively after being involved in Tottenham’s equaliser. Instead of fading, he increased his intensity — driving forward, supporting attacks and simplifying his defensive distribution when required. It was a performance that underlined both his physical presence and mental resilience. Arsenal attacking from every angle There have been matches this season where stopping Saka and Martin Odegaard has been enough to blunt Arsenal. Not this time. With Eze finding space centrally and Gyokeres stretching the back line, Spurs were being asked questions across the entire pitch. Gyokeres, who has faced some scrutiny this season, produced one of his most convincing displays in an Arsenal shirt. His movement — particularly working the left channel against Radu Dragusin — created separation and ultimately goals. Scoring twice in a north London derby could prove a turning point for the striker’s confidence and his relationship with supporters. Title race pressure maintained Beyond the bragging rights, the performance mattered because it showed Arsenal returning to the high level they have sustained for much of the campaign. Clinical in key moments, aggressive when ahead, and tactically sharp — this was a display that suggests the title race still has plenty of life left in it. If Arsenal maintain this blend of control and cutting edge, they will remain extremely difficult to stop in the run-in.
Michael Carrick believes Benjamin Sesko is steadily finding his feet at Manchester United.
Michael Carrick believes Benjamin Sesko is steadily finding his feet at Manchester United — and recent performances suggest the striker’s progress is accelerating fast. The United boss has been encouraged by the forward’s development, pointing to growing confidence and sharper impact in key moments. According to Carrick, Sesko’s improvement hasn’t followed a straight line, but the signs in recent weeks have been especially positive. Those contributions could prove pivotal in United’s push to return to the Champions League after a two-year absence. Impact from the bench proving decisive Sesko’s recent cameos have delivered big rewards. Without his late interventions, United were on course to lose away to West Ham on 10 February and drop points against Everton on Monday at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Instead, the Slovenian striker has helped propel United into a strong position in the top-four race. Carrick’s side currently sit fourth — three points behind Aston Villa and three clear of both Chelsea and Liverpool. His dramatic stoppage-time volley at West Ham grabbed the headlines, but his winner against Everton underlined his all-round quality. The goal showcased both stamina and composure: Sesko launched a 70-yard sprint after linking play with Matheus Cunha before calmly converting Bryan Mbeumo’s square pass in the 71st minute. Carrick praised the finish afterwards, highlighting the striker’s clinical edge and growing self-belief. Pundits take notice Watching for Sky Sports, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was equally impressed, noting the remarkable energy Sesko showed after covering so much ground before finishing and celebrating. The strike moved the 22-year-old onto eight goals for the season. Interestingly, only two of those came earlier in the campaign under Ruben Amorim, who brought Sesko to Old Trafford from RB Leipzig in a £73.7m move last August. Since the managerial change, however, the forward has hit six goals in his last seven appearances — including three in two games during Darren Fletcher’s interim spell in January. Selection debate continues Despite his form, Sesko has yet to start under Carrick, prompting growing debate among supporters and pundits. Carrick understands the noise but insists the situation is being managed carefully. The United head coach emphasised his strong relationship with the striker and stressed that competition for places remains high in the attacking unit. For Sesko himself, the focus is simple: make an impact whenever called upon. Speaking recently, the forward said he backs his own ability and believes team-mates know exactly what he brings — whether he plays five minutes or the full match. Lammens shines at the other end While Sesko settled the contest at Goodison Park, goalkeeper Senne Lammens played an equally important role in preserving the win. The Belgian produced a standout display, notably denying Michael Keane with a superb save and dealing confidently with a barrage of Everton set-pieces late on. Everton boss David Moyes admitted afterwards that United’s goalkeeper was the standout performer on the night. United’s recruitment team deserve credit for backing the 23-year-old last summer rather than pursuing Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez late in the window. A young core emerging With Sesko (22) and Lammens (23) both making major contributions, there is growing belief that United’s next generation is beginning to take shape. Carrick has been careful not to draw heavy comparisons — particularly between Lammens and club legend Edwin van der Sar — but he did highlight the keeper’s calm presence and reliability as key strengths. Champions League push gathering momentum At the start of the season, United internally viewed Europa League qualification as the realistic objective. However, following Amorim’s departure, sporting director Jason Wilcox challenged the squad to aim higher — and recent results have given that ambition real substance. United are now unbeaten in 10 Premier League matches, their longest such run since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side went 14 games without defeat between January and May 2021. With no European fixtures to juggle — unlike rivals Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool — momentum is firmly with Carrick’s team. From this position, anything less than a return to the Champions League would now feel like a missed opportunity.
Fixture Clashes Raise Concerns for the Future of Women’s Rugby in Scotland
The recent success of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, combined with strong performances by Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby in the Celtic Challenge, has highlighted the growing strength of women’s rugby in Scotland. At the elite level, progress is visible and encouraging. However, beneath that progress, there are increasing concerns that the domestic structure is not fully supporting the long-term development of the game. At the weekend, I was at Cartha for what was scheduled to be a cup fixture between Cartha Women and Dumfries. During the week, it became apparent that one of the sides was struggling to fulfil the tie. Following discussions between the clubs, the cup fixture was formally forfeited by Dumfries. However, rather than cancel the occasion entirely, a combined Dumfries and Annan side travelled north to play a friendly instead. All three clubs had experienced repeated issues with fixtures going ahead and were determined simply to ensure that rugby was played. While the solution showed commendable cooperation, it also reflected a wider challenge facing the women’s game. At community level, fixture congestion is emerging as a significant issue. Premiership clubs are expected to compete in the Sarah Beaney Cup, yet repeated clashes with the Celtic Challenge have weakened the competition. One of the leading Premiership sides, Stirling County, withdrew after a substantial number of their players were selected for Glasgow or Edinburgh duty. Although replacement players were available through local university programmes, the coaching staff opted not to field players without experience at that level. The result was a national cup competition without one of its strongest contenders. Further down the league structure, similar pressures are being felt. Several Division One champions who qualified for promotion play-offs reportedly contacted Scottish Rugby to request permission to prioritise cup competitions instead. While the opportunity to play at Murrayfield remains a major incentive, many clubs have expressed concern about the significant step up in quality and physicality between Division One and the Premiership. For some, the challenge is less about ambition and more about sustainability. Participation numbers continue to grow at youth and community level, which is undoubtedly positive. However, increased numbers also place greater demands on facilities, volunteers, coaching resources and fixture scheduling. Many clubs are attempting to manage expanding squads within a competition framework that was not designed for the current level of participation. These issues raise important questions about how the women’s game is structured moving forward. One potential solution would be a restructuring of the domestic leagues. A national Premiership-style division, better aligned with the Celtic Challenge calendar, could reduce fixture clashes and provide a clearer pathway for players. Lower-ranked Premiership teams could compete more regularly with the strongest regional sides, creating more balanced competition while maintaining standards. Below that level, leagues could be streamlined into two or three divisions based on participation and geography. Regular, meaningful competition is essential to player development and retention. Exposure to higher-quality opposition is important, but equally vital is ensuring that fixtures are fulfilled consistently and safely. Growth must be matched by structure. Encouragingly, the youth game continues to show strong signs of progress. Attendances at women’s internationals are increasing, and several clubs have established thriving girls’ sections. The next step is ensuring that these players have a clear and sustainable pathway into adult rugby, where consistent opportunities to compete are available. Women’s rugby in Scotland is clearly moving in the right direction. The momentum at the top of the game is genuine. The challenge now is ensuring that the domestic structure evolves at the same pace, providing stability, opportunity and appropriate competition at every level. With participation rising and standards improving, this may be the right time for Scottish Rugby to reassess how the women’s game is organised — not because it is failing, but because it is growing.
