Johnston would like to see Rangers and Celtic get a smaller cut of SPL revenue

Kilmarnock chairman Michael Johnston believes the Old Firm have too much influence on proposals for Scottish Premier League reconstruction.

"The plan has been very much shaped by Rangers and Celtic," said Johnston.

"And it's noticeable that financial modelling for the top division and the voting structure are left aside.

"If the two biggest clubs will not budge on two big issues it becomes very difficult. The middle table clubs are being asked to take all of the risks."

Rangers and Celtic both had representatives on the SPL steering group that recommended a 10-team top flight, with a second tier of the same number.

I have not been canvassed by the Old Firm on this. I've been asked to take a view on what I think is best for Scottish football Ronnie MacDonald Hamilton chairman

Plans for a Championship below the SPL have since been revised to include 12 teams.

Johnston is in favour of a 14-team top league and made it clear he is not prepared to vote for a change to 10 unless the distribution of finances are altered.

On Tuesday, Inverness manager Terry Butcher said that his club chairman George Fraser was being bullied into conforming with the wishes of the Old Firm.

"I think that's putting it too strongly," Johnston told BBC Radio Scotland when asked about Butcher's claims.

Johnston is firmly opposed to the proposals for a top 10

"But there are subtle ways of bullying people and certainly pressure has been applied to comply with what is being proposed."

However, Hamilton chairman Ronnie MacDonald strongly disagreed with his Rugby Park counterpart and is backing a top 10, even though his side currently prop up the SPL.

"I don't feel pressurised by Rangers or Celtic," he said.

"And I think it's [Johnston's view] is insulting to the people who have been on the steering group.

"I believe in the integrity of people like Stewart Milne [Aberdeen], Stewart Gilmour [St Mirren] and Rod Petrie [Hibernian].

"I have not been canvassed by the Old Firm on this. I've been asked to take a view on what I think is best for Scottish football."

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MacDonald conceded that Celtic and Rangers do have more clout than the other 10 top flight members but argued that his club and others benefit from their presence.

"The Old Firm have the muscle because they have the most supporters and the TV deal we get is driven by the desire to see Rangers and Celtic," he explained.

"I think we have to play to the TV companies' tune and what they crave is excitement.

"They are driving the thrills of the play-offs and I think we have the opportunity to promote what is now the First Division into a really good league.

"For years the First Division has been undersold and we need a strong second tier. That's where the drive for change comes from."

Johnston is not sure First Division clubs support the 10-12 plan and reiterated his opposition to it.

"I don't think the proposals are radical enough," added the Killie chairman. "If you want to start with a clean sheet of paper then we can have a total redistribution of wealth and have financial fair play throughout a larger group of clubs.

"We're also ignoring some of the First Division clubs who have been in the SPL. They say they don't want a smaller top tier. They want a bigger league. Falkirk and Dunfermline have made that clear.

"The way the proposal stands at the moment, I won't vote for it. There would have to be radical alterations before I could find it conscionable. I'd rather stick with what we have at the moment."

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