PLANS for league reconstruction have been scrapped after Ladbrokes Premiership clubs indicated there isn't enough support for the proposed changes at this time.
The move means that Hearts, who were just four points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership with eight games remaining when football was suspended, face being relegated to the Championship if it is ended prematurely due to the coronavirus crisis.
And Partick Thistle and Stranraer are also now set to drop down to League One and League Two respectively.
A 15-person league reconstruction working group had been looking at the possibility of moving towards a 14-10-10-10 or a 14-14-14 set-up.
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However, it now looks as if there will be no change in time for the 2020/21 season.
The news has been badly received by the Highland League, whose secretary Rod Houston had been on the working group, as their champions Brora Rangers will be unable to move into the senior-set.
Lowland League champions Kelty Hearts, whose manager is Barry Ferguson, will also not compete in League 2 next term.
A Highland League statement read: "Today’s news that the current work towards SPFL league reconstruction has been brought to an abrupt and arbitrary halt is disappointing and frustrating in equal measure.
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"This year, albeit in difficult circumstances, the SPFL had its first opportunity since the introduction of the Scottish football pyramid to meaningfully embrace the spirit of the pyramid. It is a matter of great regret that the SPFL has chosen to turn away from that.
"All associated with the Highland League share the undoubted disenchantment that will be felt by Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts."
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