GARY TEALE has urged the new SPFL to re-write the rule book.

The St Mirren star believes the rule that has allowed Celtic to organise a glamour friendly with Liverpool in Dublin on Saturday, August 10, when they should have been playing Saints in Paisley, is "making a mockery" of the Scottish top flight.

The former Scotland internationalist's words come just a day after club skipper Jim Goodwin claimed the glamour game loophole is "ridiculous".

Now Teale reckons with the advent of the new SPFL there is the chance to scrap the rule allowing SPL clubs to postpone one fixture a year to organise a glamour friendly game.

He said: "The whole business is making a real mockery of Scottish football. But you have to say with the new SPFL there is the perfect opportunity to do something about it.

"There is a new set of rules being drawn up and surely this is the chance to get rid of this ridiculous option.

"What other league in European football allows a club to postpone a league fixture just a week into the new season at the expense of a friendly?

"It is a situation where the SPL are almost devaluing their own fixture list by saying that a friendly can be more important than a league game.

"But this is the ideal chance to sort it. Getting rid of this rule should be added to that list."

However, the Buddies wing king was at pains to point out he was not taking a pop at the Parkhead club.

Teale said: "I mean no criticism of Celtic in this as they are only taking advantage of the rule book and no harm to them.

"If I was a Celtic player and there was the chance to play Liverpool in Dublin, I would be very excited about it.

"The fault for all of this lies at the SPL's door, but it is the right time with the change of governing bodies to get it sorted."

The fact Saints have also got a big friendly with Premier League giants Newcastle at Paisley on Tuesday, July 30 has added fuel to the fire.

Teale said: "You look at our pre-season and we have Newcastle in our final game before the campaign starts and that will help us take our preparations to an absolute peak.

"But then we go up to Inverness on Saturday and then it is another fortnight before we have Killie coming to Paisley.

"The gap will just undermine our bid to get the best possible start we can. Friendlies must be played outwith the season and the SPFL must act now to fix this rule."

With Saints due to start their pre-season next Wednesday, Teale has stepped up his fitness plans.

He said: "I have enjoyed the rest but over the last couple of weeks I have been keeping things ticking over with cycling and running.

"It doesn't get easier but I am really looking forward to getting back and working hard.

"My appetite for the game is as strong now as it has ever been."