THE SPFL will block Rangers' attempts to allow season ticket holders free entry to their Premiership play-off fixtures in the coming weeks.

Stuart McCall's side head to Tynecastle today with their sights set on second place in the Championship standings as they look to avoid a two-legged clash with Queen of the South to kick-off their promotion bid this month.

If the Light Blues finish third this season, they will have to overcome the Doonhamers, Hibernian and then the side that is eleventh in the top flight if they are to win promotion back to the Premiership at the first time of asking.

Rangers confirmed this week that they were planning to allow season ticket holders entry to the home legs of the play-off ties for free but the SPFL are set to put their foot down in the cash row that has seen fans hit out at the governing body.

Under league rules, clubs involved in the end of season shoot-out must give 50% of the gross proceeds from gate receipts to the Hampden hierarchy by way of a levy.

As revealed in SportTimes last week, that could leave Rangers facing the prospect of handing over around £1million to the SPFL if they have three bumper Ibrox crowds cheering McCall's men on in their promotion push.

If Rangers stick to their guns and decline to charge their 25,000 season ticket holders for the play-off clashes, they could be in breach of league regulation and face sanctions, including a fine.

The Gers have been given backing from Motherwell, who are currently eleventh in the Premiership, after they confirmed they had no plans to charge fans who had already stumped up for briefs this term for the extra fixtures.

Last season, Hibernian allowed season ticket holders to see the home game with Hamilton Accies for free and were not punished under SPFL rules.