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Championship clubs to reject Colt teams plans

By Andy Muirhead

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 26: Ross McCrorie of Rangers vies with Jack Aitchison of Celtic during The Scottish FA Youth Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park on April 26, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 26: Ross McCrorie of Rangers vies with Jack Aitchison of Celtic during The Scottish FA Youth Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park on April 26, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Proposals put forward by the Scottish Professional Football League for a new fifth tier are to be rejected by the lower league clubs.

The SPFL gathered together for a meeting in December looking at the new fifth tier proposals which would see colt teams from the top clubs join the league system, along with Highland and Lowland League outfits.

But the plans are not to be rejected by Scottish Championship clubs after it was revealed that colt teams would be able to secure promotion to the second tier of the Scottish game, with many clubs fearing for their survival if the plans went ahead.

Speaking in November, Kelty Hearts General Manager Dean McKenzie reckoned the introduction of Colts teams from the likes of Celtic and Rangers would be good for the Scottish game.

He said:

"“Personally, because we have not spoken about as a club, my son is in the pro youth set-up and I think there is a lack of competiveness. I don’t think anybody would argue with that, and the young guys are playing the same players from 10 years old, right up to 20. So if there are colt teams involved, I know it’s not popular to a lot of fans, but for the betterment of Scottish football it’s a good move.“We will be discussing it right away and we will probably be quite excited. There will be loads of talking with the powers that be but a new league at SPFL three would be brilliant for us.”"

Peterhead manager Jim McInally rejected calls for the Colts teams to enter the league system.

Speaking to the Evening Express, McInally said:

"“I don’t see what any League Two club would have to benefit with having them [Colts teams] in the league. I said to Chris McCart [Celtic head of youth] ‘what benefit has the colts coming into League Two got for Peterhead?’“And he admitted to me none – and that sums it up, that there is nothing for the League Two clubs in this proposal. I would like to clarify that this is my opinion and not the opinion of the club because that is something they will need to discuss.“I don’t see why we should need to try to do Celtic and Rangers’ work for them – where we are trying to improve their kids. Well, what benefit is that to any lower league club?“In my opinion they are bullies and they are trying to bully their way into the league. I don’t mind admitting I’m a Celtic supporter, but I have absolutely no intention of trying to help them bring on their youngsters ahead of everybody else’s youngsters.“It’s wrong that it’s just Celtic and Rangers, but it would still be wrong if it was Aberdeen and Dundee United trying to do it or Hearts and Hibs. It totally demeans the league, them coming in.“As much as people support Celtic and Rangers, the people who support Peterhead, Montrose, Clyde, Elgin and others support their team every bit as much and every bit as passionately as Celtic and Rangers supporters support their team.“It really annoys me that Scottish football can’t see through this – for me this should have been blown out without even getting this far.”"

The SPFL introduced top-flight colt teams to the League Challenge Cup for season 2016/17 in a bid to increase fan engagement with the competition, but it has received a mixed reception and the introduction of English, Northern Irish and Welsh teams has brought with it even more criticism.

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