The National:

WESTMINSTER will try anything to stop Scottish independence.

Whether it’s scheming to claim our oil for England or undermining devolution, there’s no trick too dirty for Downing Street.

Granted, they’ve given the independence movement a gift in the form of appointing Boris Johnson to Number 10, but don’t let his astounding unpopularity north of the Border distract from the fact he’s intent on keeping us in our box.

He and his ministers have several masterplans in the works to stop us from going our separate ways – including plastering their own walls, as well as Scottish play parks, with Union flags.

But a new scheme to prevent a Yes vote has seemingly been uncovered.

It comes in an unexpected form, amid reports that the UK Government is considering backing a “British Super League”.

The plans would involve Rangers and Celtic being absorbed into the English Premier League.

READ MORE: Celtic and Rangers 'wanted' in new British Super League following European breakaway collapse

The National: Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the latest media briefing at Downing Street

According to The Sun, the proposals could be backed by Downing Street – in a bid to quell support for independence.

Yes, you read that correctly.

It comes after Boris Johnson vehemently opposed plans for a breakaway European Super League – which proved to be about as popular as the PM is in Scotland.

The successful campaign to stop England’s richest football clubs taking a permanent seat in an exclusive cabal of European superclubs has prompted a rethink about the dynamics of the footballing pyramid in the UK, it is reported.

It is said the Premier League and global governing body FIFA would support plans to incorporate Celtic and Rangers into the English top flight.

But most notably, the Sun claims the Prime Minister is keen on the plans because it could dent hopes for an independent Scotland.

The paper reports: “And while PM Boris Johnson launched into the Super League debate by insisting he would throw every possible obstacle in the way of the changes, the prospect of including Rangers and Celtic in a cross-border UK league would be a potential factor in the fight against the proposed second Scottish independence referendum.

“Ibrox and Parkhead supporters, excited at the prospect of locking horns with England’s big guns, might be tempted to strengthen resistance against the SNP-led breakaway plans.”

The UK Government remained tight-lipped when approached for comment.

Given some of their previous brainwaves, would anyone actually be surprised by this plan?