More details have been released about the plan for Celtic to field a Colts side in next season’s Lowland League.
It is one of the oldest chestnuts in Scottish football but a show of hands from Lowland League clubs on Monday will decide whether or not the move goes ahead.
Clubs in the lower divisions of the SPFL have made it clear that they are opposed to any scheme to admit Colt sides but it seems that the Lowland League plan has a decent chance of success.
Over the last two season’s there has been very little competitive fixtures for Celtic to give younger players experience with loan deals proving hit or miss.
Players like Luca Connell and Ewan Henderson could still go out on loan at a higher level but an u-20 side could be playing regularly against Stirling Uni, Cumbernauld Colts, East Stirling and BSC as early as July.
The Sun reports:
The Daily Mail claims that the small print of the scheme would see Celtic and Rangers submit squad lists before the season, and wouldn’t be able to adjust their squads outwith the usual windows. They would use a maximum of 22 full-time players.
They would be Under-20 players – with one additional Under-21 outfield player and one additional Under-21 goalkeeper allowed to be added to the squad.
The Lowland League’s 17 member clubs will debate the plan on Monday before a show of hands. Should Kelty Hearts – who currently have a 2-0 first leg lead in their pyramid play-off over Brora Rangers – be promoted with victory over Brechin City, the league would have 18 teams next season.
If the plan gets the green light on Monday, it could be ratified at the Lowland League AGM on May 27.
