A Hampden meeting to discuss last week's Old Firm veto of SPL-TV ended in acrimony as the remaining ten clubs gave two years' notice of their intention to go it alone in a new-look Scottish game.

Furious at what one chairman called the Old Firm's 'unholy alliance', Hearts chief executive Chris Robinson spoke for the rebel ten as he announced the end of the SPL as we know it.

Having been given until the end of the season to formalise their plans in writing, Robinson insisted the move was no bluff and that the clubs were ready to go it alone - leaving the Old Firm nowhere to play.

The high-stakes move came as Sky chief executive Tony Ball told city analysts that the broadcaster will cut back on covering 'lesser events'. Yesterday's impasse means Scottish football faces a desperate scramble to secure television coverage before the new season and beyond.

SPL sponsors Bank of Scotland recently agreed a new £4million partnership until 2005, but a review of that deal seems certain if Celtic and Rangers are cut loose.

Stunned by developments, the Old Firm again insisted they remain commited to the Scottish game, but that failed to prevent Bradford chairman and Nationwide League board member Geoffrey Richmond from issuing an open invite to the 'Big Two' - after many of the obstacles previously blocking such a move were removed.

Richmond told Soccernet: 'There has been no approach by either Rangers or Celtic to the Nationwide League. The Premiership made it clear they weren't interested in the Old Firm in December. The only way Celtic and Rangers can get there, therefore, is via the Football League.

'I have no doubt that the vast majority of the chairmen here would welcome Celtic and Rangers, for obvious reasons. The rules would probably have to be changed to parachute both clubs into Division One, but I think there is overwhelming support in favour of their application to do that.

'It would have to be approved by both the SPL and SFA - but after today's events I imagine that would now be forthcoming. With their support, then I can't see any opposition coming from either the Football League or even UEFA. But it's up to the Old Firm to make their intentions clear.'

Richmond spoke just hours after Gang of Ten spokesman Robinson had joined the other nine clubs after a 30-minute adjourment of yesterday's meeting, to announce they had given two years' notice of their resignation, in keeping with SPL rules.

Robinson added: 'The clubs need to take control of their own destiny and to operate under rules of fairness in terms of voting structure and distribution. Any new league that we set up will be founded on fairness, with a similar voting structure to the English Premiership, which has a much fairer set-up than the SPL.'

The Old Firm refused to push the panic button after yesterday's announcement, with Rangers vice-chairman John McClelland responding: 'We were surprised because the meeting had gone very well up until that point.

'It's fair to say they would like a different structure and I understand that, but I don't think the way it has been approached is the right way.'

Celtic chief executive Ian McLeod left the door open to future compromise, adding: 'To be in a position in two years' time where Rangers and Celtic have no league to play in is unthinkable and will not happen.

'There will be some form of agreement reached over league structuring. 'But there is no hidden agenda. We haven't got an escape plan to England, Europe or anywhere else.'