Hearts boss Jim Jefferies is fully behind the proposal to expand the Scottish Premier League to 16 teams.
Hearts boss would welcome 16-team top flight
Hearts boss Jim Jefferies is fully behind the proposal to expand the Scottish Premier League to 16 teams.
Jefferies, who has been calling for a league reform for some time, believes that having clubs play each other four times a season is damaging to the Scottish game.
He insists the SPL would benefit from the inclusion of sides such as Dundee, Dunfermline, Partick Thistle and Inverness.
"I've been shouting about it for ages," said Jefferies, who is in his second stint at Tynecastle after being in charge of Kilmarnock.
"There are some good clubs in the First Division; there are some good facilities.
"If they were all back in the top tier, they would get bigger crowds - that's a fact."
Jefferies believes the frequent meetings between the sides causes too much familiarity on the pitch.
Familiar
"The quicker we get back to playing home and away, the better, I think - whatever the size of league, whatever the format," he added.
"Playing each other four times has had its day.
"We're getting too familiar with each other - we know each other's games.
"I don't think there's any motivation for the supporters to go twice to see a team at home."
Jefferies admits a 12-team division adds to the excitement of the competition.
"You've still got to have that but, at the same time, the way that it's set up now isn't helping the football," he said.
"And that's the main thing."
