Change is on the way for the Scottish Football League.

Scottish Football League’s current format of 12 teams in the top tier, followed by three leagues of 10, is set to become a thing of the past by the start of next season as the current SPL sides gave their ‘unanimous backing’ for a reconstruction earlier this week.

The clubs agreed on a new set-up that would see the Scottish Football League system become as follows: SPL – 12 teams, Scottish Football League Division 1 – 12 teams, and Scottish Football League Division  2 – 18 teams, squeezing the previously four-tier format into three.

SPL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster, speaking optimistically after Monday’s agreement, said: “the clubs were united in their view about the need for change. The SPL clubs have been clear that they back this [new league set-up] being taken to the next stage.”

Clubs currently in the Scottish Football League will have the final say on the matter on Thursday when they meet at Hampden Park, Glasgow, though a unanimous agreement is expected, giving the new system the go-ahead to be implemented next season.

Earlier this month, Scottish football giants Rangers warned the Scottish Football Association that they could quit the league completely if the reconstruction plan was approved.

Rangers, who were relegated to the Scottish Third Division after going into administration last year, will remain in the bottom tier of the Scottish ladder under the new format even if they secure promotion in this campaign, which is looking a near-certainty.

However, it is not expected that Rangers’ concerns will stop the process going forward, and an announcement regarding Scottish Football’s new three-tier system is set to take place on Friday.