Clubs from the Scottish Premier League have rejected a bid by Rangers to be allowed to play in the top flight next season.

The SPL announced the news in a brief statement: "At today's General Meeting, SPL clubs today voted overwhelmingly to reject the application from Rangers newco to join the SPL."

It follows the Glasgow club's financial crisis, for which they have already been fined a six-figure sum and banned from European competition for three years.

It is not clear where Rangers, Scottish champions a record 54 times, will play next season. They could have to relaunch from the fourth tier of the Scottish game.

Before the meeting Hibernian, Hearts and Dundee United all went public with their plans to reject the newco bid.

Hibs cited sporting integrity as the driving factor behind the decision, despite the financial implications for Rangers.