BBC locked in football TV talks

The BBC hopes to secure SPL screening rights

BBC Scotland is negotiating over the rights to screen Scottish Premier League football next season.

The move follows the collapse of the Scottish Premier League's planned pay-TV deal.

But the coverage could still fall through if Celtic and Rangers quit Scotland to play in the Nationwide League south of the border.

Uncertainty surrounds the Old Firm's future

Last month, the Old Firm clubs withdrew their support for an SPL channel.

The 10 other SPL clubs had backed the plan fully in the belief the new station would bring in around £20m in revenue.

However, at the time, Rangers vice-chairman, John McClelland, said the Old Firm did not believe the SPL channel would be viable.

An earlier £47m, three-year deal from Sky did not receive support from the SPL clubs.

There had been suggestions that the broadcaster had subsequently ended its interest in covering Scottish football, but it appears it still retains an interest.

It had been suggested that Channel 5 has also entered the race, but the station has insisted it is not bidding for SPL highlights.

Scottish Television last week said it was no longer in the running for highlights as one bidder had won the contract and that this would be an exclusive deal involving highlights and live action.

The lack of a big-money deal has plunged all 12 SPL clubs into financial uncertainty.

Its non-Old Firm clubs have announced their intention to resign from the SPL due to the uncertainty.