Livingston boss admits Derek Adams' Scottish football rant is 'educated opinion' as he calls for top flight expansion

Livingston boss David Martindale concedes that Derek Adams' views on Scottish football are 'educated' even if he stopped short of agreeing with the Ross County gaffer's assessment of the game north of the border.

And he reckons an expanded top flight could be the solution as games are becoming too 'risk averse' due to the pressures sides face of staying in a 12-team division.

Adams launched a blistering attack on the SPFL Premiership following his side's 1-0 loss to Dundee at the weekend, insisting his old side Morecambe were '100 times better'. While Martindale didn't give his own assessment, he conceded the Staggies boss may have a point and suggested the financial gap between the lower leagues in England and the Scottish top flight is ever increasing.

He said: "The game has become more risk averse and managerial longevity has played a part. If there was a bigger league, that would maybe help the style of play and product on the park. I’m not having that you couldn’t have at least four teams from the Championship enhancing the Premiership and the finances then improve for these clubs.

"There are a lot of factors that lead to the product on the park. There’s a correlation between finance and ability.

“We’ve punched well above our weight over the years but finance recruits ability and the gap in England is getting bigger in terms of finance available for players. I used to be able to recruit League Two or low-end League One. I can’t do that now.

“National League is a bit of a stretch, I’m now looking at National League North/South. The gap between there and going to Parkhead and Ibrox is big. It has become more difficult but I don’t think it’s an inferior product.

“Our turnover is going down and outgoings increasing, so the