SPFL clubs discuss reconstruction plans as Hearts, Partick and Stranraer await the outcome

Scottish Premiership clubs are set to meet today.

Scottish Premiership clubs will meet on Friday to discuss league reconstruction as Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer await the outcome.

With Rangers intending today to divulge evidence they claim proves bullying at the top of Scottish football, plans to expand the top flight will be up for debate 24 hours later.

The top 12 are to hold talks via video conference to analyse options to increase the size of the league and potentially invite Highland League winners Brora Rangers and Lowland League champions Kelty Hearts into the bottom tier of the SPFL.

A 14-team Premiership is being proposed but would require an 11-1 vote in favour from top-flight clubs if officially put forward as a resolution. That would spare Hearts relegation to the Championship.

The SPFL’s league reconstruction task force, led by Hearts owner Ann Budge and Hamilton vice-chair Les Gray, are also open to two further divisions of 14 and 16 to complete a 14-14-16 model which would include Brora and Kelty.

A 14-14-14 system has not been ruled out but some clubs are doubtful about whether any restructure is beneficial to the game amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Thistle would avoid dropping into the third tier if either of the above proposals were voted through, while Stranraer would be included in an expanded third division.

If enough Premiership clubs agree on one model, it would then be put to all 42 SPFL clubs as a resolution to be voted on within a 28-day window.

It should become clearer after Friday’s talks whether sufficent numbers would be willing to back one of the proposals. The meeting was scheduled for today but has now been put back 24 hours.

Eleven Premiership clubs, plus 75 per cent of Championship teams and 75 per cent across League One and League Two would need to approve any new plan for it to be implemented.

Rangers, meanwhile, are expected to circulate their dossier of evidence against SPFL executives to the other 41 clubs.

They must subtantiate claims of “bullying and coertion” regarding Dundee’s vote on last month’s proposal to end the season early.

The Dens Park club planned to vote “no” but changed their mind and went with “yes” after realising they had the casting vote. Rangers believe Dundee were unfairly influenced and stated that they have material to prove so.

The SPFL commissioned an independent investigation by Deloitte which found no evidence of anything untoward in the voting process, however Ibrox officials felt that was not sufficiently thorough.

Backed by Hearts and Stranraer, they succeeded in forcing an EGM for Tuesday, May 12, to call for another inquiry. Rangers plan to share material which they feel backs up their bullying accusation, allowing the other 41 clubs time to digest it before the EGM.