Four clubs from Courier Country are among those poised to drop another reconstruction bombshell on Scottish football.
The latest twist in what has been a long, drawn out saga will see current First Division clubs Dunfermline, Raith Rovers and Cowdenbeath agree to form a second tier of the SPL in time for next season by quitting the SFL.
SPL relegation favourites Dundee have also decided to do the same should they, as expected, fail to beat the drop this season. Their signature is strictly on condition that they don’t cling on to their top-flight status.
Despite battling bravely against the odds in recent weeks, Dundee’s fate could be sealed as soon as Saturday, with rivals St Mirren just needing a point against Hearts when they meet at Tynecastle to relegate the Dark Blues.
All Division One clubs bar champions Partick Thistle and already relegated Airdrie United, plus the Dens men and Division Two winners Queen of the South, have signed a letter signalling their intent to leave the SFL.
The dramatic move comes in the wake of a meeting between representatives of interested parties at Hamilton Accies’ New Douglas Park ground on Thursday night.
Rangers’ place in any proposed restructure plan was mentioned at the gathering in Lanarkshire but was considered irrelevant to the discussion facing the clubs at that point.
A letter signed by the 10 clubs is to be sent to the SPL ahead of their own meeting next week.
The correspondence will state a preference for league restructuring through dialogue with all 42 senior clubs but if that cannot be achieved the SPL should consider a second tier.
An SPL2 of 12 clubs rather than 10 is the preferred option. SFL executive David Longmuir has insisted his focus was on securing play-offs between the top two tiers.
He said: “The position of the SFL is to continue to work towards meaningful change, by that we’re involved in discussions with both parties and we are firmly focused on delivering change.”