CONTROVERSIAL proposals to invite Celtic and Rangers 'colt' sides to participate in the lower leagues of the Scottish senior game appear to have been rejected.

According to reports, the idea – proposed in a document sent to clubs last week by David Longmuir, the chief executive of the Scottish Football League – was not even discussed at a meeting of representatives from the Scottish Premier League and SFL at Hampden yesterday and, therefore, will not form part of the final plans for league reconstruction.

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After talks to thrash out the specifics of the proposals that will be put to clubs, it has been reported that the document will instead call for a vote on a 12-12-18 league structure, incorporating all 42 current league sides.

Longmuir's motion to push for a 12-12-10-10 setup, with the inclusion of Old Firm reserve sides in the bottom tier, was met with resistance by a number of SFL clubs when it was suggested last week and was not on the table yesterday.

That was despite attempts from Charles Green, Rangers' chief executive, to sweeten the proposal on Monday by offering to guarantee other clubs a sum that equated to the ticket revenue of 300 Rangers fans turning up for matches should they support the plans.

Furthermore, calls from Green that the Ibrox club should be promoted to the second tier of a new structure, on account of being potential third division champions this season, are also understood not to have been heard nor referenced in the plan.

The proposal remains in draft form in the interim, say reports, with conversations still to be held on its final form before the plans are put to a vote with a view immediate implementation.

SPL clubs will cast their vote on the matter on April 15 and, while no date has been set for SFL teams to do the same, it is thought that it will also be in April.