FORMER Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels has called for Scottish football to consider switching to a summer season in order to encourage a more entertaining game. 

The 60-year-old, who led Killie to League Cup glory in 2012, currently manages Irish side Derry City who compete in a campaign running from February to October.

It has been a successful season for Irish football in Europe, with champions Dundalk reaching the Europa League group stages after falling just short of a Champions League spot.

Shiels believes Scotland could benefit from an altered calendar and that doing so would encourage a more attractive style of play from teams playing in better conditions.

"There's only one negative with the summer season, the pre-season training is done in very wet conditions, that's the only one I have," Shiels told BBC Scotland.

"The summer league certainly suits our style of play.

"With the exception of Celtic, who play a great brand of football, the other clubs, the Aberdeens and these teams, need to start playing with more innovation and then summer football I'd say is better for that type of game.

"It'll encourage coaches to put a brand there that's entertaining.

"We have to be mindful that the game was created for local villages to bring entertainment to the parish, to the community."