Newco Rangers heading for safety net of First Division

SCOTTISH football is edging towards a compromise that will see newco Rangers parachuted into next season’s Division One.

It is understood the SPL will vow to set up a 16-team top flight within three years in return for the crisis-hit Ibrox club being accepted into the second tier.

Radical changes would also see a move from the current four divisions to three by 2015 with no play-offs planned between the top and second tier.

The plan was today set to be discussed at an SFL board meeting at Hampden.

It represents a last-gasp bid by the league to safeguard the lucrative television deals following the collapse of Rangers.

Reports have highlighted Scottish football is facing a crippling £80 million loss from television revenue and sponsorship if Rangers have to start again in Division Three.