PLANS today emerged of the rescue plan being put in place that would allow Rangers to move directly into the Irn-Bru First Division in the coming season.
SPL chairmen met at Hampden today – minus any representitives from the stricken Ibrox club – with the official vote on a 'newco' entry into the top flight not due until next Wednesday.
But Charles Green's bid for the SPL is already dead in the water after six clubs said they would vote against it.
And that has led to major plotting behind the scenes to find a solution to the Rangers crisis.
Senior Scottish football figures are proposing Rangers start season 2012/13 in the second tier.
There are also plans for the SPL and SFL to be merged into a new organisation called 'The Scottish Professional Football League' in 12 months' time.
The main points of the propsals are: lRangers are to be relegated with immediate effect and be replaced in the SPL by Dundee.
lTV rights for Rangers matches in SFL Division One are to be bought by the SPL for £1million.
lThe SPL and SFL will merge into one body at the start of season 2013/14.
lPlay-offs between the top two divisions will be introduced in time for the coming season, with one team from the top flight and three from the second tier competing for a place in the following season's SPL.
lThere will be an increase in the parachute payments made to clubs relegated from the SPL.
lChanges will be made to the distribution model for clubs in the top two tiers with teams in the lower leagues earning a similar amount to the current set-up.
lA new pyramid system will become effective from season 2014/15 that will allow a potential place in the new league format for a team from either the Highland league or newly-created 'Lowland League'.
•Rangers' newco acceptance into the Scottish FA would only be approved if they accept responsibility for the football debts and fines incurred by the pervious club along with their waiving of rights to a legal challenge.
It is understood Rangers chief executive Green has been "briefed" by Hibs chairman Rod Petrie on the plans to gain their approval.
All these changes have to be approved by SPL and SFL clubs over the next few days and, should the proposals not gain support, it remains possible that Rangers could begin next season in Division Three
Division One clubs Falkirk, Raith Rovers and latterly Morton have voiced their opposition to any plans to place the Rangers newco in the second tier.