I’ve had my eyes opened

Stephen Thompson admits the pain of a year in the Championship has opened his eyes to a rethink on league reorganisation.

But despite Hibs, Dundee United, Hearts, Dundee and Rangers all playing outside of Scotland’s top tier in the past three years, he still doesn’t think the game’s hierarchy would vote for a bigger top division.

He said: “My view on a bigger league would be different now – but it will never be voted through.

“Two clubs could block any change. Everyone thinks it would be Celtic and Rangers but it would be the clubs more likely to be down the bottom of the league.

“I don’t think you realise what relegation is like until you’ve gone through it.

“So something like a 16-team league? I probably would have voted against it in the past. Now?

“The fans would like to see something di f ferent , wouldn’t they? But it’s not going to come because I already know two clubs who would block it before anything even got started.”

United fans have been critical of Thompson’s reign but he would be prepared to move the club out of his family’s hands if the team’s future is guaranteed.

He said: “I take nothing out the club now. I haven’t done for a year. How do I live?

“You end up remortgaging your house. The family’s wealth has basically gone, simple as that.

“Perhaps I’d be better off with a job elsewhere. But I care about the club. I am not happy at all at where we are.

“But it’s getting out of this league – and it doesn’t really matter how.”

Meanwhile, Thompson wants to keep United as an elite club at youth level as Project Brave kicks in.

He said : “It ’ s about investing in the future.

“We must put the right bid in and have a plan. We must be serious about being one of those clubs – we can’t afford not to be.”