SFA president Campbell Ogilvie says Scotland is tip-toeing its way towards summer football.
The official is a big fan of the idea of the country running its club seasons from March to November.
It would, he argues, help players and supporters avoid the worst of the winter weather and give our European entrants a fighting chance against other early starters.
“Things are evolving and I believe they will continue to do so,” he said.
“I think we’ve reached a stage in Scottish football when we really need to seriously sit down and look at the fixtures.
“It is something we should be moving to the top of the agenda.
“Listen, we now have teams starting in Europe in early July who have to go up against sides from Sweden who have had a head start of up to 18 games under their belt.
“I worry about them in those situations and I think it is something that needs to be addressed.
“Generally speaking, the seasons are eating into each other. Next year’s Champions League Final is on June 6. The week after there is an international.
“In the past, we used to start European games in mid-September. The League was late August and the cup a few weeks earlier.”
Heavy winters and congested club and international schedules have made such late starts a luxury the game can no longer afford.
“It’s not just the weather,” said the SFA president. “There are other constraints. The World Cup in Qatar could also have an impact.
“But in general, when you have teams playing in July, you have to look at the fixture calendar.
“And we aren’t just talking about it; we are actually sitting down and looking at what the options are and what we can bring in.
“Supporters used to be hostile to the idea of summer football but the Supporters Direct Survey found that 40% are interested so people are coming round.
“And, who knows, down the line it might be attractive for broadcasters and sponsors.
“First, though, we have to look at our own house and decide what is best for us.”
Ogilvie, who retires next year, is passionate about the need to adopt a calendar which will give young players the best possible chance to succeed.
“We got Stirling University to undertake a study on youth football between the end of February and November,” he said.
“We are focusing not so much about playing the games but the development of players.
“It’s not rocket science that you will improve if you train in better conditions.
“At the moment we close down facilities and don’t have access. In the survey, there was a general willingness around the 32 bodies to open up access to schools with synthetic pitches that are currently closed at 4pm.
“We are getting there but you are trying to change traditions and it can be difficult to break the doors down.
“We will keep going because it is fundamental for developing youngsters.”
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