Hearts owner Ann Budge admits surprise at League Cup revamp

Hearts owner Ann Budge says she was surprised to hear of the changes to the Scottish League Cup format which will be introduced at the start of next season.

The Scottish Professional Football League's has decided to change the structure of the competition with the introduction of a group stage.

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There will be eight groups of five teams starting the competition in July from which 12 teams progress to the knockout round alongside Scotland's European competition participants.

Within the groups, all drawn matches will go straight to penalty shoot-outs and the team that wins will take two points rather than one.

The SPFL has opted to make the changes as the League Cup has taken on less importance in recent years since the reward of a European place for the winners was removed.

But Budge, who has been pushing for a place on the SPFL board, believes clubs should have been consulted about the changes.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ from the Scottish FA convention at Hampden, she said: "I have to be honest and say, it almost came as much of a surprise to me as it did to everybody else.

"So from that perspective my thoughts are, as a club owner, club chairman, club chief exec, I would have liked to have known about it."

The SPFL has defended the decision over the announcement, and claimed the clubs were informed of the changes before the media.

An SPFL spokesman said: "Following media reports regarding the announcement of the new League Cup format and broadcast partner, it is worth clarifying that all 42 SPFL clubs involved received full details of the final announcement in advance.

"Specifically, three officials at Heart of Midlothian FC as well as two from Motherwell FC received emails at 2pm, and again at 4pm, on Monday 7 December 2015, seven and a half hours ahead of the announcement being made public.

"Consultation with member clubs on a possible new format for the Scottish League Cup began as early as 21 October 2014 when, during a general meeting of all 42 clubs at Hampden, we announced that this topic would be explored by a competitions working group made up from representatives of member clubs, including Motherwell. Heart of Midlothian and Motherwell were both represented at this meeting.

"At subsequent general meetings held on both 19 January 2015 and 23 April 2015, each attended by Heart of Midlothian and Motherwell, all 42 clubs were again fully consulted on the considerations and recommendations of the working group, including a possible new July group stage format and potential broadcaster interest in this.

"Then, at our annual general meeting on 20 July 2015, attended by both Heart of Midlothian and Motherwell, all clubs were again reminded and consulted on the discussions taking place on a possible new format for the Scottish League Cup and broadcast interest.

"Finally, at our general meeting on 5 October 2015, at which both Heart of Midlothian and Motherwell were again present, all clubs were given a detailed update on intentions for the Scottish League Cup for next season onwards."

But Brechin City chairman Ken Ferguson welcomed the changes, saying: "I don't see it as a gimmick, I see it as something different. We have all sat through quite a few games with extra time and penalties in not the best of conditions just wishing to get the game over.

"So to know exactly where you are heading at the end of a game, bringing in bonus points to try and avoid draws, I think just adds to the innovation process."