Scottish Premiership clubs are to discuss plans to radically shake up the country’s league pyramid later this week, according to reports.
The 12 top-flight sides will consider proposals to reshape the SPFL format in a 14-14-16 setup - a move which could see Hearts remain in the division.
Tynecastle chief executive Ann Budge is leading the league task force on reconstruction, with the 15-strong panel meeting on Monday to go over the latest ideas.
The 14-14-16 model would increase the number of sides in the Scottish league system from 42 to 44, with Highland and Lowland league champions Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts joining the expanded setup in the bottom tier.
It would also likely mean the Premiership’s basement club Hearts receiving a reprieve from relegation to the restructured Championship, with Dundee United and Inverness Caledonian Thistle creating a new 14-team top flight.
According to BBC Scotland, the plan can only be put before the league’s current 42 sides if there is found to be enough support, but may fall at the first hurdle if the ten League Two continue to unanimously back a 14-14-14 system.
Clubs including Edinburgh City agreed to vote as one on any change to the league, favouring preserving the number of sides in the pyramid, but reorganising into three divisions rather than the current four.
Any change to the league system would require the support of 11 Premiership sides plus 75 per cent of clubs below the top flight.
That effectively renders the League Two group kingmakers, with no plan able to pass without their backing.
The Premiership clubs are due to meet remotely on Thursday.
