SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell reckons that fans saw his revamped B team masterplan as a way for Rangers and Celtic to "get stronger" - leading to the collapse of a new tier five.
The Old Firm rivals have had their top academy sides competing in the Lowland League for the last two campaigns and were joined by Hearts in tier five last season. The Hampden chief has had hoped that involvement would continue in a new fifth tier next season, that was proposed to feature the four B-teams as well as representatives from the current Highland and Lowland League set-up.
However, it was overwhelmingly rejected by lower league clubs and the SPFL eventually pulled the vote off the table after a mass of dissenting voices. Since then, Rangers have announced they won't enter a team into next season's Lowland League with Maxwell sent back to the drawing board as he looks to come up with a masterplan to overhaul the SPFL.
