Clyde hit out at Hearts reconstruction focus on top flight

The latest reconstruction scenario involves a 14-14-14, or 14-14-16, model proposed by Hearts supremo Ann Budge which would save her club from relegation.

But Clyde - who would be demoted to the bottom tier despite finishing seventh in League One last season - are unhappy that the interests of lower league clubs are appearing to be disregarded.

In a club statement the Bully Wee said: “The core of the proposal - to a top 14 - seems to be the most urgent matter to be resolved, as we appreciate the central revenue generating league requires clarity for a number of commercial and practical reasons.

“However, that clarity is critical for the other clubs across the leagues as well. The reality is that the landscape for returning to football remains uncertain, particularly for the clubs below Premiership level.

“The financial resources and sustainability of clubs when testing costs of perhaps £120,000 per season per club, perhaps with no crowds and no hospitality, are still unknown factors.

“These major factors might become clearer in the coming weeks or months, so it seems premature to enforce a structure across the rest of the leagues simply because it appears to work for the Premiership.

“In these special circumstances it would make more sense to find a way to resolve the situation for the Premiership, then allow the remaining teams to develop their own solution in the coming months, having regard to the factors that they find themselves facing.

“The simple 3 x 14 solution proposed by Hearts implies that the teams below the Premiership could essentially look after themselves, but this should not automatically require a structure of two leagues of 14. It actually makes sense to allow those clubs to draw up their own solution.”