A majority of Scottish Premier League clubs favour expanding the division, with several managers also calling for a shake-up in the top flight.

BBC Scotland spoke to nine of the 12 clubs on Thursday, with seven supporting a larger league and one refusing to comment.

SPL managers Jim Jefferies, Craig Brown, Gus MacPherson and John Hughes all indicated a desire for change.

And Hibs boss Hughes would like to see the season moved to the summer.

Hearts manager Jefferies believes clubs playing each other four times a season is not a great spectacle for supporters.

Jefferies said that an expanded 16-team league would not detract from the excitement of clubs challenging for European places or battling to avoid relegation.

And the Hearts boss believes it could be facilitated with a split between the top and bottom eight teams.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Would more teams improve the Scottish Premier League?

"We are getting too familiar with each other and I don't think the fans are too happy with the way things are," he said.

"You go to places like Dundee and Dunfermline in cup ties and there is no doubt they could handle themselves in a bigger league.

"It is all about finding the right format - it all depends on what teams want.

"The most important thing for me is that teams like Partick and Dunfermline all have good facilities and if they were in the top league then that would mean that more fans would come out and watch them.

"That has to be good for the game."

On Wednesday, SPL chief executive Neil Doncaster told BBC Scotland that his organisation was considering possible expansion and a play-off system, but any amendments would have to be approved by a vote from the 12 clubs.

It would require 10 clubs to be in favour for the change to be made and then there are the knock-on consequences for the Scottish Football League.

St Mirren manager MacPherson is in favour of more teams being admitted but believes league reconstruction is some way off, because of the financial implications for clubs in an expanded league.

"From a personal view, that's what required - a freshness about Scottish football," said MacPherson.

Motherwell boss Craig Brown also predicted resistance from boardroom level.

"I think 16 teams would be a better league," he told BBC Scotland. "However I do believe the chairmen think differently."

Hughes, who has been a long-time advocate of summer football was of the same opinion.

"You ask any chairman if he would rather have a share of 12 clubs' money or 16 and I can tell you what the answer would be," he said.

"As long as when you are building it, any new team can show that they match the criteria by way of finance, stadium and facilities then that would be fine. I really feel for clubs who are striving to get into the SPL.

"I think we talk about a lot of things but no action is ever taken. Lets get it right for the SPL.

"In my mind we have to be looking at summer football. I know teams that have not trained outside for two months.

"Lets be sensible. Lets go and play football when the surfaces are great, the training facilities are good and the spectators can come along to a game in a t-shirt.

"I think Scottish Football as a product would benefit from that. In life anything is achievable. In Scotland we talk about it a lot. Lets go and make it happen."

Doncaster also mentioned the possibility of play-offs being introduced to the SPL, something Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has mixed memories of.

"I'd look at a bigger league, or a smaller league - whatever is right for the game, but it has to be part of an overall review of the game," he told BBC Scotland.

"We've been involved in (relegation) play-offs in the past. It wasn't much fun but Tannadice was full and it was a great occasion.

"It raises money in England and I know a few people are keen on it. I'd need to see what proposals were on the table, it depends what format it takes."

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