Celtic B plan for season 26/27 revealed

Celtic B will play in the Lowland League West next season.

The AGM for the Lowland League was held at Celtic Park on Monday night but very little news has came out.

There is nothing yet on the Lowland League website but Clydebank and Cowdenbeath has released some detail on Twitter.

Expanding the league and regionalising it would normally mean that the standard is being diluted but not in this case.

Eleven of the Lowland League clubs have been placed in the East Division.

Celtic, Clydebank, Albion Rovers, Caledonian Braves and Gretna 2008 have been joined by the best former Junior clubs, coming up from the West of Scotland League.

Auchinleck Talbot, Pollok, Johnstone Burgh, Renfrew, Troon and Cumnock will all provide very tough opponents in the 26/27.

All of those clubs are long established, have strong support and are generally able to offer better wages than clubs in SPFL 1 and 2.

Celtic B finished last season in 10th place in the Lowland League. Next season’s opponents look much tougher.

After five seasons in the Lowland League player development has virtually halted.

CELTIC B- THE FAILURE TO DEVELOP

Colby Donovan has made some top team appearances but Rocco Vata, Daniel Kelly, Daniel Cummings and others have opted to take their development elsewhere.

Co-operation Loans are available, last season Celtic linked up with Ayr United but Kyle Ure, Jude Bonnar and Francis Turley aren’t returning to Celtic first team ready.

Without Scott Brown in place it is doubtful if the Ayr United relationship will continue into next season.

Johnny Hayes was in charge of the B team last season after Stephen McManus was called up to assist Martin O’Neill with the first team.

Celtic virtually gave up on covering the B team last season.

No match reports were published on the club website. On X/Twitter the club provided team news with a half-time and full-time update.