Celtic’s Conference plan faces double threat

Celtic’s hopes of fielding a B team in a new look Conference League from season 24/25 are under pressure from two sources.

With Aberdeen pulling out there are just three Premiership clubs prepared to take part with growing opposition to the plan from clubs in the SPFL, Lowland League and Highland League.

SPFL clubs have repeatedly voiced their opposition to B teams being installed in their set up, after two seasons playing in the Lowland League the SFA have conjured up another new league aimed at satisfying the need for B team football without shoe-horning clubs into an existing set up.

Four Premiership clubs joined six from the Lowland and Highland Leagues in a new fifth tier was put forward as the solution but a week before the AGM of the SFA there are serious doubts that the plan will get off the ground.

Stephen McGowan of the Daily Mail reports:

PLANS for a new Scottish Conference have suffered a setback after Queen’s Park ended their interest in entering a B team.

Controversial proposals for a new 10-team fifth tier, pitching Premiership Colts teams against sides from the Lowland and Highland Leagues from season 2024-25, will be put to the vote at the SFA AGM on Tuesday.

Celtic, Rangers and Hearts are prepared to pay a £100,000 fee to enter a team in the proposed new division.

Queen’s Park expressed an interest after Aberdeen decided against getting involved, but the Championship club informed the SPFL last week that they would not be pursuing the idea.

To pass muster the new competition needs 55 of the 102 member clubs to vote in favour.

Responding to a backlash by supporters, however, Peterhead, Albion Rovers, Bonnyrigg Rose and Raith Rovers have already gone public with their plans to say no.

Ten Highland League teams and five from the Lowland League have also signalled their intention to vote against the plan, leaving the SFA and SPFL facing the growing possibility of defeat.

After two seasons of playing in the Lowland League it doesn’t look like any Celtic B team players are closing in on a place in Ange Postecoglou’s first team squad.

Rocco Vata and Ben Summers have made brief top team appearances off the bench but really need a season of first team football in the Championship or Premiership to advance their claims.