Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies added his weight to the calls for a revamp of Scottish football by suggesting the SPL should be extended.In the midst of cash-strapped Gretna going into administration and Motherwell's Fir Park being closed in order to fix the problem pitch, Celtic boss Gordon Strachan called for an overhaul of the SPL, citing low crowds and poor facilities as two of his main bugbears.

Jefferies insists familiarity between clubs in a 12-team league is another problem which has to be addressed.

He explained: "I would like to see a new league format.

"The league should be extended because we have to get away from playing each other four times.

"Years ago it was said we would get bigger crowds in the two home games against Rangers and the two home games against Celtic.

"That was the main purpose behind the set-up but it's past it's sell-by date.

"I don't see certain grounds being full when Rangers and Celtic visit in the way they were years ago.

"We played Celtic in a Scottish Cup tie a few weeks ago and there were six and a half thousand there.

"Getting back to playing each other just once home and away would be a big help.

"I'm not sure how many clubs that involves, but certainly playing each other four times makes people switch off.

"You get to know each other and it doesn't excite anybody any more.

"Sometimes a change is as good as a rest so maybe we need to look at it."

Jefferies is confident that the Irn-Bru First Division houses enough clubs of sufficient quality to enhance the SPL.

He said: "A bigger league would make it easier to survive and we have decent clubs in the First Division.

"We talk about Gretna's situation and what they offer (to the SPL) but look at some of teams in the First Division like St Johnstone, Dundee and Dunfermline, they are all big clubs.

"St Johnstone have made two semi-finals in recent years, they have a great little stadium and they are a club that should be in the Premier League.

"It would help the SPL get back to home and away only which would be good for the game."

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