MORTON will vote against any move to parachute crisis-hit Rangers straight into the First Division, the Tele can reveal.

The beleaguered Ibrox club have been shunned by Scottish Premier League sides who will refuse the new company's application to join the top flight, leaving them to fight for a Scottish Football League berth.

And in an exclusive interview with the Tele, Ton chairman Douglas Rae insisted that Rangers MUST join at Third Division level if successful.

Morton, Raith Rovers and Falkirk have all now publicly declared their intention to snub any proposal which would allow Gers to play alongside them in the second tier of Scottish football.

Mr Rae said: "I want to be clear that I do not think Rangers should go into the First Division.

"I understand the feelings of a lot of people who have written in to me about this issue, and I feel similarly.

"If it comes down to a vote then I will be voting for Rangers to go to the Third Division."

Morton have been inundated with letters and emails from fans expressing concern at any move which would see the Rangers 'newco' given entry straight into the First Division.

The Ton fans' trust has set up an online poll to gauge opinion and has arranged a meeting at the Darroch Bar in Gourock tomorrow night at 8pm to discuss the situation.

Mr Rae said: "There is a strength of feeling against Rangers going straight to the First Division and it would be my intention to vote in the same way as the majority of people who have expressed a view."

The Ton owner said he also hoped the Ibrox crisis and current turmoil within the game could act as a turning point for Scottish football.

He said: "This is an opportunity to end things like the 11-1 voting structure in the SPL.

"We have to see more democratic decision-making and a fairer distribution of monies available around the game, so that more teams can challenge for honours.

"We must take this opportunity to get important things right."