Celtic will be restricted to playing four non-Scots in next season’s Lowland League.
Last night the Lowland League agreed to allow three guest clubs to play in next season’s competition on a one off basis, just as they did a year ago.
The guest clubs won’t compete in cup competitions or be eligible for promotion which raises the prospect of the club finishing in fourth place going into a play-off for an SPFL place with the Higland League champions.
Guest clubs will field players under the age of 20 with restrictions on anyone involved in first team matches.
One additional restrictions is on Scottish players. Last season Tobi Oluwayemi, Bosun Lawal, Rocco Vata and Joey Dawson all played fairly regularly, no more than four non-Scots will be allowed next season.
Oluwayemi, Lawal, Vata and Dawson will probably be looking to get out on loan next season but the non-Scots rule shows how tightly the Lowland League is regulated.
After the vote was passed the Lowland League announced:
Following positive and collaborative discussions between the board of the Scottish Lowland Football League, representatives from the Scottish FA and the Scottish Professional Football League, plus Celtic, Heart of Midlothian and Rangers, a revised proposition for season 2022/23 has been agreed.
This proposition allows the three guest clubs to participate in the Lowland League for season 2022/23. In addition, the respective league bodies have agreed to participate in the Scottish FA’s pyramid working group discussions aimed at providing a longer-term solution to optimise the structure and aid the transition of talented players between the ages of 17 and 21.
Following a positive vote, the plan commits to the following:
Celtic, Heart of Midlothian and Rangers will join the Lowland League for season 2022/23, creating a 19-team league for one season only. This will result in a 36-game fixture calendar.
Guest clubs are required to field seven players eligible for Scotland national teams in the starting line-up.
Each guest club will provide funding to help develop the league and its clubs.
The Scottish FA will lead on a review of the pyramid structure, with recommendations proposed ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Following promotion and relegation Cowdenbeath and Tranent will replace Bonnyrigg Rose and Vale of Leithen in next season’s campaign.
