Dons chief disappointed by Inverness decision

Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness believes the image of Scottish football has been tainted by the decision to deny Inverness Caledonian Thistle promotion to the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

The Bell’s First Division champions had hoped to groundshare at Aberdeen’s Pittodrie Stadium next season in a bid to meet top flight criteria.

But their bid for promotion ended in failure today when seven Premier League clubs voted against their proposal at the SPL General Meeting.

Inverness needed at least eight clubs to vote in their favour for the bid to go through and they will now appeal to the Scottish Football Association.

Last year’s champions Falkirk also failed in their groundshare attempt for entry to the top flight and Wyness insists both decisions show Scottish Football in a poor light.

He said: “It is disappointing from the point of view that we came here looking for promotion and relegation and Aberdeen as a club has consistently been looking for that.

“You really just have to shake your head at the SPL. I was absolutely astonished at the decision and very disappointed at the five clubs who voted against us.

“We have consistently tried to promote promotion and relegation. We supported Falkirk last year and we supported the club coming up again this year.

“The motion was perfectly competent to be voted on and passed, there is no doubt about that.

“So you would need to ask those five clubs what their reasons were.

“Promotion and relegation is much better for the image of the game.

“That is what football was like when I grew up as a boy and it is important that we have that.”