The Reserve League is facing the axe with clubs ready to pull out of next season’s competition.
Seventeen matches spread over eight months of the season has produced little in terms of player development compared to going out on a meaningful loan to a lower division side.
Three clubs are still involved in the title race but it will be a hollow success for whatever club with the winning squad unlikely to have developed closer to first team football.
The Sun reports:
THE SPFL could face an exodus of clubs from their reserve league next season.
SunSport understands several top-flight sides are reviewing their future in the current set-up.
The SPFL reintroduced reserve teams in place of the Development League this season as part of the SFA’s Project Brave blueprint.
But clubs have found it an inadequate test and too costly for little reward.
It’s believed some plan to bin their reserve side completely to focus instead on stronger relationships with lower league clubs to loan out their best youngsters.
In recent seasons the SPFL has shifted from u-19 to u-20 onto Development League then Reserve League without any obvious benefit to players.
Celtic have had a number of players out on loan this season involving clubs such as Stranraer, Forfar Athletic and Cowdenbeath.
The most obvious success story has been Ross Doohan who has been training full time and playing every match with Ayr United after moving to Somerset Park in the close season.
