Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has complained to the SPL about Celtic counterpart John Reid's critical comments following the SPL's decision to endorse the broadcasting deal with Sky and ESPN. Before last week's vote, Rangers chief executive Martin Bain had revealed he had met with Celtic to discuss the idea of running their own station but no proposal was put before the 12 SPL representatives.

Neither Reid nor chief executive Peter Lawwell attended the meeting.

"I sent an e-mail to Lex on Friday morning complaining about certain things," Thompson told the Sunday Herald.

"Their attitude and the way they have conducted themselves has been disgraceful.

"To be fair to Rangers, Martin Bain has been away all week on holiday, but as regards to Celtic if they want to make big statements can they not actually have the courtesy of John Reid or Peter Lawwell actually turning up at the meeting?

"I have nothing against the Old Firm, I get on well with one or two of them, but they can't keep coming out with public statements like that - it is not helpful for the league.

He added: "Celtic need the rest of the clubs to have a league to play in and I sometimes think they forget about that.

"I am a great believer in working together for a common goal, and Thursday's meeting was not the most pleasant I have ever attended.

"None of us are happy with where we got to with Setanta but if they keep commenting this way it is not very constructive.

"Particularly to make big statements, yet present nothing to us on Thursday.

"It has caused quite a lot of animosity between the other clubs to the Old Firm and I don't think it is helpful for selling the league as a product.

"The dilemma we had - just four weeks before the season started - was do you want a TV deal or do you not want a TV deal?"