2 is what we've been doing since the Bosman rule through to MCT and it works as long as, and only for as long as, the checks clear at the bank.
3 is what we did for the last few years. We got off to a great start in no small measure due to favorable cup draws (and Dougie's steering us through the early rounds often enough.) Again, it works as long as the checks clear. When they don't clear, we're in an absolutely grave position.
Short of selling the club completely, and to whom that would be I don't know, 1 is the only option that gives us a chance at long-term survival, although that depends in huge part on the future of the ground, which grows more precarious each year.
I think with the amount of money currently on offer in Scottish football, thinking that we'd be anywhere near the Championship on a break-even MCT model is very ambitious. We'd do well to get the League One playoffs most years. And I think that outcome is absolutely fine if the alternative is what's happening now.