Sky have confirmed that they had no bid planned to renew their television rights for the SPL, which could leave BBC Scotland as the sole runner in the race to screen the nation's top flight.

The satellite broadcaster had opened initial negotiations with SPL chief executive Roger Mitchell after the league's plans for its own subscription-based channel was vetoed by the Old Firm last month.

But millionaire Celtic director Dermot Desmond last week held fresh negotiations with English Nationwide League clubs, with claims that he was seeking a move to English football as early as next season.

The 10 are also connecting Sky's decision with those reports.

"It is disappointing that yet again negotiations have been undermined at a crucial stage," said a spokesman for the 10 clubs.

"We saw that there is yet more speculation being fuelled about Celtic departing Scotland in the near future and then negotiations broke down again.

"You would be naive to think the two were not connected.

"It is sad because we've said all along that the adversity is hugely problematic.

"We were hoping for two years of stability at least, but it is not to be."

A Sky spokesman said: "There have been confidential discussions between ourselves, the SPL and its representatives on two occasions over the past two weeks.

"But Sky has not made any new bid for rights and no bid is planned."

Withdraw resignation threat

Channel 5 has maintained that it is not involved in the bidding process, although it has refused to rule out any future move for the rights.

The lack of a television deal leaves the top flight with an uneasy financial future and several clubs have already begun cost-cutting measures after Motherwell were placed in administration two weeks ago.

The 10 clubs had announced their intention to resign from the SPL in the wake of the Old Firm's decision to pull the plug on SPL TV.

There were claims on Friday that the Old Firm have threatened to block a deal with the BBC unless the other 10 withdraw their threat to resign.

It has been reported that the BBC had bid �8m per year for two years, although the organisation has refused to comment as it is bound by a confidentiality agreement.

There have been suggestions that some games would be broadcast in other parts of the UK as part of the deal.