Scotland’s top soccer clubs have backed plans to merge with lower league teams, reversing a breakaway by the Scottish Premier League (SPL) 15 years ago.

The agreement should see more money filter down to the second tier of the game in Scotland, the SPL said in a statement yesterday.

Many clubs are facing a struggle to survive financially in Scotland where the collapse of former champions Rangers has added to the sense of crisis. The plan will retain the current structure of a 12-team top flight and three lower divisions each of 10 teams.

Scottish soccer has long been dominated by the Glasgow clubs Celtic and Rangers. The demise of Rangers, who had to relaunch from the fourth tier this season after their financial collapse, has further dented its commercial prospects.

To stimulate interest, the SPL clubs have proposed play-offs between the team finishing second from bottom in the top flight and those placed second to fourth in the tier below it.

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