The SPFL Expansion Draft 2021/22

 The SPFL Expansion Draft 2021/22 

 

Imagine combining two of the most convoluted topics in sports - league reconstruction in Scottish football and the draft system commonly found in the US for basketball, ice hockey, and so forth - to create an article which has the potential to be so complicated that nobody, not even myself as the author, can begin to understand it. Luckily, dear reader, this is what you are signing up to if you read beyond this little introduction. 

 

The American National Hockey League (NHL) recently created a brand-new franchise - the Seattle Kraken - from scratch to take the league from 31 to 32 teams. The Athletic decided to use this real life innovation to conjure up an entirely fictional scenario where the rules implemented in the NHL draft were applied to magic up an entire squad for a new English Premier League outfit. 

 

Think back to the summer months of 2020, when Hearts, Partick Thistle, and Stranraer were relegated despite the season not playing to a finish. Reconstruction was a hot topic for weeks in the Scottish media yet nothing came to pass. This is the jumping off point for our now fictional timeline... 

Let's pretend the Scottish footballing authorities agreed a plan. The top flight would expand from 12 to 16 teams, with 4 teams getting promoted from the Scottish Championship in 20/21, the current season. Great news for those sides, however the SPFL decided it wanted to retain a relegation place for the last-placed team in the Premiership. Taking this 16th spot instead would be an entirely new franchise created from scratch. Call them whatever you want - Saltcoats United, East Kilbride Eagles, Glenrothes Glory - but the powers that be want a new club to generate some headlines and publicity in a desperate attempt to boost the post-pandemic coffers. Conveniently, they are bankrolled by a wealthy consortium, so wages aren't a big stumbling block. 

 

This club clearly need some players. They were instructed to wait until January before signing any, but they have been allowed to recruit 2 players from each of the 12 clubs currently in the SPFL Premiership. Now clearly, cherrypicking the best individuals from each team would cause a bit of uproar, so the lawmakers have created some rules to prevent this and introduce some fairness: 

• The new franchise must sign 3 goalkeepers, 9 defenders, and 12 midfielders/forwards. 
• Loan players from outside Scotland cannot be considered, however those on loan from one Scottish club to another can be. 
• Existing clubs can protect 12 players from their squad (about half of their current cohort). 
• However, they must leave 'exposed' (ie vulnerable to transfer) 3 players who have played over 500 minutes in the league this season, to ensure the new team can be competitive when they join in 21/22. 
  
  
  Essentially, I am predicting who the existing clubs would look to 'protect' based on their current squad composition, obviously prioritising the most talented and valuable players. Then I play the role of director of football for the fictitious club and look to recruit based on what is available thereafter. Here we go... 
  
  
  Aberdeen 
  
  
   
  Protected players: Joe Lewis, Andy Considine, Tommy Hoban, Ash Taylor, Ross McCrorie, Lewis Ferguson, Jonny Hayes, Matty Kennedy, Ryan Hedges, Scott Wright, Connor McLennan, Sam Cosgrove 
  
  
  Exposed regulars: Curtis Main, Dean Campbell, Funso Ojo 
  
  
  Notable other options: Tomas Cerny, Shay Logan, Michael Devlin, Mirko Virtanen, Niall McGinn, Dylan McGeouch 
  
  
  The protected players do speak for themselves for the Dandy Dons. A plethora of club legends, some young players with a lot of resale value, and a lot of versatility to ensure a strong 21/22 squad. The interesting thing for our new franchise is what route they decide to take in building their fledgling outfit. There are some older heads (Cerny, McGinn), some youngsters who may or may not have potential (Campbell, Virtanen), and some injury prone but otherwise very respectable options (Logan, Devlin, McGeouch). Ultimately, the latter route is the option that the novice SPFL Premiership side choose. 
  
  
  TRANSFERRED PLAYERS: Michael Devlin (DEF), Dylan McGeouch (MID/FWD). 
  
  
  Celtic 
  
  
  Protected players: Vasilios Barkas, Kristoffer Ajer, Jeremie Frimpong, Greg Taylor, Christopher Jullien, Callum McGregor, David Turnbull, Ismaila Soro, Ryan Christie, James Forrest, Odsonne Edouard, Albian Ajeti 
  
  
  Exposed regulars: Nir Bitton, Tom Rogic, Scott Brown, Olivier Ntcham, Leigh Griffiths  
  
  
  Notable other options: Scott Bain, Conor Hazard, Ross Doohan, Hatem Abd Elhamed, Tony Ralston, Luca Connell, Mikey Johnston, Patryk Klimala, Jack Hendry, Boli Bolingoli, Maryan Shved 
  
  
  Before discussing the exciting array of options for the new franchise to draft, let's explain the rationale of the protected players. Barkas and Ajeti are £5m outlays and cannot be written off (see also Jullien at £7m). Soro and Turnbull are the exciting new prospects. McGregor and Forrest are the loyal servants, progressing from the academy to legendary status, with no intention of leaving Parkhead. Frimpong and Taylor need to be retained as fullbacks for next season. Edouard, Ajer, and Christie are not only a trio who represent the best Celtic have, they are also need to reap sorely needed transfer funds in the summer of 2021, with just a year left on their contracts. 
  
  
  So what available players should be drafted? There are plenty of exciting talents on offer here, and every position is covered. A lot of these players have international caps and winners medals in abundance. The opportunity to generate resale value is also there for the novice club, who surely also need bums on seats post-lockdown to get fans through the gate at Glenrothes/East Kilbride/ Cumbernauld or wherever. 
  
  
  For this reason, the best choices are Leigh Griffiths and Tom Rogic. While there are younger alternatives, Rogic certainly could be sold to an Asian side (he remains an attractive prospect as his Australian passport means he isn't counted as a foreign player in the Asian Champions League). Crucially, him and Griffiths could still absolutely tear up the Scottish top flight, even if both are past their peak. They would draw in more spectators as the sort of players capable of the spectacular, while also ensuring a lot of media publicity. 
  
  
  TRANSFERRED PLAYERS: Tom Rogic (MID/FWD), Leigh Griffiths (MID/FWD) 
  
  
  Dundee United 
  
  
  Protected players: Benjamin Siegrist, Lewis Neilson, Ryan Edwards, Mark Connolly, Jamie Robson, Adrian Sporle, Jeando Fuchs, Callum Butcher, Ian Harkes, Logan Chalmers, Lawrence Shankland, Nicky Clark 
  
  
  Exposed regulars: Mark Reynolds, Liam Smith, Dillon Powers, Peter Pawlett, Louis Appere 
  
  
  Notable other options: Deniz Mehmet, Declan Glass 
  
  
  The very impressive Siegrist needs to be kept in goals, while the centre half trio of Neilson, Edwards, and Connolly would also be retained. The strike pairing of Clark and Shankland would certainly not be traded, while new signing Fuchs is already a mainstay. Sporle remains on account of his versatility, with Robson and Chalmers as youngsters with an affiliation to the club. 
  
  
  Currently, the franchise has acquired injury-prone players and it appears this trend is unfortunately going to continue. Liam Smith was tremendous for St Mirren in the Scottish Championship, indeed he certainly is a cut above that level, but hasn't yet produced in the top flight to the same extent - his lovely goals against Rangers earlier this campaign notwithstanding. While Reynolds and Pawlett have been stellar players, relatively speaking, previously, it is the enticing prospect of Declan Glass, who was scintillating at Cove Rangers in 19/20 who also gets the nod. The physio for this fictional outfit will be overworked at this rate! 
  
  
  TRANSFERRED PLAYERS: Liam Smith (DEF), Declan Glass (MID/FWD) 
  
  
  Hamilton 
  
  
  Protected players: Ryan Fulton, Hakim Odoffin, Jamie Hamilton, Shaun Want, Lee Hodson, Scott McMann, Ross Callachan, Scott Martin, David Templeton, Andy Winter, David Moyo, Marius Ogboe 
  
  
  Exposed regulars: Kyle Gourlay, Brian Easton, Ben Stirling, Reegan Mimnaugh, Aaron Martin, Callum Smith 
  
  
  Notable other options: George Stanger, Lewis Smith, Ronan Hughes, Charlie Trafford, Justin Johnson 
  
  
  Poor little Hamilton, even the fictional club are turning their noses up at this lot. Accies would protect the players who can produce the goods at the sharp end (Templeton, Moyo, Callachan, Obgoe) while also hanging on to the battlers who give them their identity. There are a few player who have shown flashes this season, such as Ronan Hughes, but this is unsurprisingly the slimmest of pickings thus far.
  
  
  A new goalkeeper for SPFL Club 16 is imperative now, so Kyle Gourlay will be a welcome addition, while Lewis Smith is another talent who could improve significantly and has only missed the requisite minutes through injury - that poor physio... 
  
  
  TRANSFERRED PLAYERS: Kyle Gourlay (GK), Lewis Smith (MID/FWD) 
  
  
  Hibs 
  
  
  Protected players: Ofir Marciano, Josh Doig, Ryan Porteous, Paul McGinn, Paul Hanlon, Melker Hallberg, Alex Gogic, Joe Newell, Martin Boyle, Jamie Murphy, Kevin Nisbet, Christian Doidge 
  
  
  Exposed regulars: Lewis Stevenson, Stevie Mallan, Drey Wright 
  
  
  Notable other options: Darren McGregor, David Gray, Sean Mackie, Jackson Irvine, Stephen McGinn, Chris Cadden, Kyle Magennis, Jamie Gullan, Fraser Murray, Scott Allan 
  
  
  Hibs have just 15 players who have featured for over 500 minutes this season, so choosing who to leave from the protected list was rather simple. Lewis Stevenson is a club legend, but is now 33 and there's a better option at left back in Josh Doig. Drey Wright as a transfer simply has not worked so far, while Stevie Mallan is crowded out by the alternative choices in central midfield. 
  
  
  Unfortunately for Hibs, the best option available to the new franchise is also a central midfielder - step forward the new boy Jackson Irvine, returning north of the border after over a century of appearances for Hull City in the English Championship. He would link up with compatriot Tom Rogic nicely, while Stevie Mallan can be the Rogic replacement once the big Aussie gets knackered on the hour mark and needs subbed. 
  
  
  TRANSFERRED PLAYERS: Jackson Irvine (MID/FWD), Stevie Mallan (MID/FWD) 
  
  
  Kilmarnock 
  
  
  Protected players: Danny Rogers, Stuart Findlay, Calum Waters, Brandon Haunstrup, Ross Millen, Gary Dicker, Aaron Tshibola, Alan Power, Chris Burke, Greg Kiltie, Rory McKenzie, Nicke Kabamba 
  
  
  Exposed regulars: Kirk Broadfoot, Aaron McGowan, Mitch Pinnock 
  
  
  Notable other options: Colin Doyle, Clevid Dikamona, Youssouf Mulumbu, Danny Whitehall
  
  
  Killie have one of the smaller squads in the top flight this season, again with 15 players crossing the 500 minutes boundary. Kirk Broadfoot is the veteran who there's no need to keep hold of, Pinnock hasn't stood out since arriving a few months ago, at least not relative to his peers at the Ayrshire side, and Aaron McGowan hasn't displaced Ross Millen at the right back berth. 
  
  
  The new franchise is notably light on defenders this far, so picking up Clevid Dikamona and Aaron McGowan is very sensible. Danny Whitehall looks as if he could be a more than adequate replacement up front for Eamonn Brophy, although time will tell. No denying Mulumbu is a talented player, who is more than capable of performing at a decent SPFL level, but his fitness issues are a concern - and there are enough of those already in this fictional assembly of misfits. 
  
  
  TRANSFERRED PLAYERS: Clevid Dikamona (DEF), Aaron McGowan (DEF) 
  
  
  Livingston 
  
  
  Protected players: Max Stryjek, Jon Guthrie, Efe Ambrose, Jack Fitzwater, Nicky Devlin, Craig Sibbald, Jason Holt, Josh Mullin, Alan Forrest, Scott Pittman, Scott Robinson 
  
  
  Exposed regulars: Marvin Bartley, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas 
  
  
  Notable other options: Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, Alan Lithgow, Keaghan Jacobs, Scott Tiffoney, Matej Poplatnik 
  
  
  Livingston would be looking to keep the players most responsible for the remarkable upturn of results Davie Martindale has inspired. Marvin Bartley is unlucky to fill the now customary 'veteran' slot for players who, while important, are advancing in age and can charitably be offered up to the fictional entrants to the SPFL Premiership. The Almondvale outfit have left themselves well stocked across the park with their protected players, with JET just missing the cut on the protected players choice. 
  
  
  JET can therefore join the new outfit as a solid Plan B option - chasing a goal with 10 minutes to go? Get him on to ruffle up the opposition. We're also in dire need of drafting in a left back, so Aaron Taylor-Sinclair can return from the wilderness to form a double-barrelled double helping from West Lothian. Sorry. 
  
  
  TRANSFERRED PLAYERS: Aaron Taylor-Sinclair (DEF), Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (MID/FWD) 
  
  
  
  
  Motherwell 
  
  
  Protected players: Trevor Carson, Declan Gallagher, Bevis Mugabe, Stephen O'Donnell, Nathan McGinley, Mark O'Hara, Robbie Crawford, Alan Campbell, Devante Cole, Tony Watt, Liam Polworth, Callum Lang 
  
  
  Exposed regulars: Liam Grimshaw, Ricki Lamie, Chris Long, Jordan White 
  
  
  Notable other options: Scott Fox, Aaron Chapman, Jake Carroll, Charles Dunne, Liam Donnelly, Sherwin Seedorf, Barry Maguire 
  
  
  The Steelmen finished in an excellent 3rd place in the truncated 19/20 campaign, but their struggles this time round are laid bare when examining the options available here. Too many underperforming players who either are talented but haven't performed to the same standards this season (Gallagher, Long, Polworth), have been injured for large spells (Donnelly, Carroll, Carson), or simply aren't capable of performing at a level befitting a team aiming for the top half (Chapman, Grimshaw, Lamie, and nearly all of the attacking options). 
  
  
  In spite of injury concerns, Jake Carroll is a better left back than Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, so he's an easy choice. The other options are uninspiring, to put it bluntly, but Liam Donnelly was very impressive early on in his time in claret-and-amber, plus has much needed versatility. He can play at centre back, as a defensive midfielder, or as a standard centre mid. 
  
  
  TRANSFERRED PLAYERS: Jake Carroll (DEF), Liam Donnelly (DEF) 
  
  
  Rangers 
  
  
  Protected players: Jon McLaughlin, Filip Helander, Connor Goldson, Borna Barisic, James Tavernier, Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara, Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent, Kemar Roofe, Alfredo Morelos, Ianis Hagi 
  
  
  Exposed regulars: Allan McGregor, Leon Balogun, Steven Davis, Scott Arfield 
  
  
  Notable other options: Nikola Katic, George Edmundson, Calvin Bassey, Nathan Patterson, Jordan Jones, Brandon Barker, Glenn Middleton, Cedric Itten, Greg Stewart, Jermain Defoe 
  
  
  The formidable champions-elect offer up an enticing array of options. The Ibrox side would keep McLaughlin over McGregor due to age, a factor which also sees Davis and Arfield exposed to being drafted. The back four picks itself, meaning Balogun becomes available, while the most valuable assets in midfield and in attack are retained for obvious reasons. 
  
  
  Thus far, SPFL's new boys have yet to pick up an obvious starting goalkeeper, so Allan McGregor needs to be chosen. While 38, he has been fantastic this term and his stunning save from Griffiths in the New Year derby showcased this more than any other save. He might retire in 2022 but a year with him in the sticks would ensure that the goals conceded column remained respectable. To that end, the best option alongside him is Leon Balogun. The Nigerian international is a great age, a fantastic athlete, a very promising player in general. He would be the rock that could facilitate the beginning of a third force in Scottish football. 
  
  
  Steve Davis and Scott Arfield are very unfortunate to miss out here, although there are a plethora of central midfield options available already. Plenty of bright prospects (Patterson, Bassey, Katic) and solid professionals who just missed the cut. Wingers are also necessary for the draft roster, although they can be added later on, as the options here don't quite cut it. 
  
  
  TRANSFERRED PLAYERS: Allan McGregor (GK), Leon Balogun (DEF) 
  
  
  Ross County 
  
  
  Protected players: Ross Laidlaw, Alex Iacovitti, Keith Watson, Col Donaldson, Josh Reid, Ross Draper, Jermain Hylton, Harry Paton, Ross Stewart, Billy McKay, Harry Paton, Oli Shaw 
  
  
  Exposed regulars: Callum Morris, Regan Charles-Cook, Connor Randall, Iain Vigurs, Jordan Tillson, Michael Gardyne 
  
  
  Notable other options: Tony Andreu, Carl Tremarco, Tom Grivosti, Jason Naismith 
  
  
  The players County would save are all solid at top flight level and certainly justify County fans expecting their side to stay up. Stewart and McKay haven't been as clinical as would be expected but there's certainly enough about that dozen in general, with even Ross Laidlaw receiving plaudits for recent performances. 
  
  
  The problem with Ross County in terms of the draft is just how reliant they are on loans: Doohan - a clear upgrade on Laidlaw in goals - and now Hjelde from Celtic; Kelly from Rangers; Lakin from Birmingham. Once you get past them and the players on the protected list, it is rather slim pickings to choose from. Gardyne has obviously been a brilliant servant to the club but his days in the top flight are numbered unfortunately, which also applies to Tremarco, Vigurs, and probably some others at the Highland club. 
  
  
  The standout option here, even though we've already drafted two right backs in Liam Smith and Aaron McGowan, is Jason Naismith. He's a great athlete, an absolute unit, he'll run up and down the right channel all day, and he's a deceptively tidy footballer in possession a lot of the time. Also very injury prone, in keeping with a lot of previously chosen players. The other choice, just to grant this squad some versatility and options on the flanks, is Regan Charles-Cook, who flattered to deceive initially beyond running about a bit. His energy will be handy considering the drafted squad has the mobility of a dump truck without any tyres on. 
  
  
  TRANSFERRED PLAYERS: Jason Naismith (DEF), Regan Charles-Cook (MID/FWD) 
  
  
  St Johnstone 
  
  
  Protected players: Jason Kerr, Jamie McCart, Liam Gordon, Shaun Rooney, Scott Tanser, Ali McCann, Craig Conway, Murray Davidson, Stevie May, Chris Kane, David Wotherspoon, Callum Hendry 
  
  
  Exposed regulars: Zander Clark, Elliott Parish, Callum Booth, Liam Craig, Michael O'Halloran, Craig Bryson 
  
  
  Notable other options: Guy Melamed 
  
  
  This is the first time I've thought that a club would be wise to leave their first choice goalkeeper available to draft, but Zander Clark has had such a fall from grace this past couple of years. His understudy Parish being even less convincing is all that keeps him starting in real life, and he won't be drafted in the virtual world. St Johnstone have a very sturdy collection of defenders, with McCann, Conway, and Wotherspoon offering enough technical quality and guile to ensure Callum Davidson can carry on Tommy Wright's excellent work. 
  
  
  Controversially, I've imagined the Perthshire outfit would keep a hold of May, Kane, and Hendry - none of whom could be described as especially prolific at Premiership level - and instead let go of O'Halloran, whose spectacular performances are far off in the rear-view mirror, so much so his discipline issues (2 red cards this season) are inexcusable. However, his pace and ability to feature on the flanks will be very handy. New addition Guy Melamed has impressed in his limited game time thus far, linking up with Chris Kane nicely in his past couple of outings. 
  
  
  TRANSFERRED PLAYERS: Michael O'Halloran (MID/FWD), Guy Melamed (MID/FWD) 
  
  
  St Mirren 
  
  
  Protected players: Jak Alnwick, Richard Tait, Joe Shaughnessy, Conor McCarthy, Marcus Fraser, Jake Doyle-Hayes, Ethan Erhahon, Jamie McGrath, Dylan Connolly, Kyle McAllister, Eamonn Brophy, Jon Obika 
  
  
  Exposed regulars: Sam Foley, Cammy MacPherson, Lee Erwin, Ilkay Durmus, Junior Morias 
  
  
  Notable other options: Dean Lyness, Peter Urminsky, Kristian Dennis, Ryan Flynn 
  
  
  The St Mirren players who would be exempt from the draft - nothing to do with bone spurs, unlike a certain former US President - almost pick themselves. The only real debate was between McAllister, Durmus, and MacPherson as to who the 12th man should be. Ultimately I've went McAllister, since the hierarchy at the club pinned a lot on him after rejoining from Derby County on a 3 year deal. MacPherson has flattered to deceive this season and certainly gets away with a lot by virtue of being a homegrown player. 
  
  
  Ilkay Durmus has too many ineffectual games which drift by without much involvement, but the Turkish winger is capable of fantastic performances and his ability would give this fictional outfit much needed balance on the left flank. Both Ryan Flynn and Sam Foley would be respectable choices, considering their versatility and impeccable displays during the 2019/20 campaign, where they were arguably our two best outfielders. However, a third goalkeeper has yet to be drafted, and Dean Lyness has been a superb servant to the club over the past few years, and he can continue this role as Allan McGregor's understudy. 
  
  
  TRANSFERRED PLAYERS: Dean Lyness (GK), Ilkay Durmus (MID/FWD) 
  
  
  
  
  Meet the team: 
  
  
   

  
  
  
  
  
  With a delightful purple kit inspired by Fiorentina, the new franchise will be enthralling crowds at a fictional stadium inside a central belt industrial estate on a regular basis. The extra depth is at goalkeeper and right back - no disputing who is the first pick as keeper, although right back has three players who could all stake a claim to make that slot their own. Balogun and Devlin would be first choice at centre back, although Devlin would doubtless miss most of the season through injury and be replaced by Dikamona. Lewis Carroll has missed a lot of football through injury this season too, but is the first choice at left back. 
  
  
  Further ahead, Ilkay Durmus is the only natural left winger in the pool of players. O'Halloran can utilise his pace on the right flank, with Griffiths and Rogic in tandem at the sharp end. McGeouch and Irvine is a nice complement of styles in the middle of the park - McGeouch's possession-based style alongside the boundless energy and vertical approach of Jackson Irvine. 
  
  
  Off the bench, Emmanuel-Thomas is a plan B alternative, while Melamed also adds to the firepower. Declan Glass, Lewis Smith, and Stevie Mallan all bring flair and an easy-on-the-eye style; but not necessarily consistency, reliability, or defensive solidity. The versatility of Liam Donnelly will come in handy as a replacement defensive midfielder, while also offering height and a presence in both boxes. 
  
  
  This team is well equipped for a 3-5-2, with an abundance of wingbacks and strikers. It could also work with a 4-3-3, a 4-4-2 or a 4-4-2 diamond. There's a decent blend of youth and experience - aside from the horrifying medical bills due to half the squad having the brittleness of a long forgotten packet of biscuits, there's a lot to work with here for whatever manager you would want in charge. Would this be a top-half team? Pushing for Europe or just about avoiding relegation but no more?
  
  
  Thanks for reading!