But Gold has moved to bring the warring parties together and hopes to make progress when both sides of the conflict meet within a week.

Gold said: ‘‘I have been in constant discussions with both parties in the past few weeks and I am delighted to report we have agreement from those involved for a meeting at the end of this week or the start of next.

‘‘I’m delighted we have made this progress as there is clearly a great deal to discuss.

‘‘Although we have yet to agree diaries, I am confident that we can get together around the table in the next few days.

‘‘Among the items on the agenda will be voting structures, distribution of funds and the structure of the game going forward.

‘‘This is an important first step.’’

‘‘There is a lot of speculation and potential scenarios.’’

But Celtic and Rangers’ hopes of joining the Nationwide League next season appeared over as governing bodies involved poured cold water on the proposal.

The Glasgow pair have held two meetings with the Football League in the past fortnight which ‘‘explored possibilities’’ over the controversial switch.

After being knocked back emphatically over direct entry into the Premiership, the two clubs have sought an alternative route into English football’s lucrative top flight via promotion from the Nationwide League.

It was their belief the League and their member clubs, suffering financially since the collapse of ITV Digital, might welcome two such powerful additions.

But with the publication of next season’s fixture list little more than a month away, and with the subject not even on the agenda at the League’s executive board meeting on Thursday, sources say the chances are virtually nil.