A Scottish Lowland League ultimatum could mean that Rangers B team will not be part of their set-up next season, as intended.
As was the case in the campaign recently finished, Rangers and Celtic were once again due to field teams in the division under an extended agreement, follwoing on from a vote of the fifth tier clubs to permit the guest sides for another year.
However, a spanner in the works came via a late application from Hearts, who also wanted a ‘colt’ team to participate, leading to the current impasse.
As reported today by the Scottish Daily Mail:
“Asked to change their rules to allow all three to enter a 19-team league, Lowland League sides voted against the proposal by a margin of 13 to three – with chairmen expected to decide which two of the three they wanted to admit by June 6.”
“In an unexpected ultimatum, however, the three Scottish Premiership clubs have now made it clear that the SLFL either allows all three guest teams to play – or risks receiving none at all.”
“Lowland League officials have now written to members outlining the current state of play.”
Outcome
Both Old Firm clubs parted with £25,000 each in older to have their sides in the SLFL last season, so with Hearts potential involvment that will be around £75k on the line. Money talks but at the moment the league body appears to be holding on to principle with the threat of reverting to its own 16 teams.
If that goes ahead and the bluff is called, it would mean Rangers having to come up with a new solution for the young players who make up the B team. What would be most likely would be another ‘games programme’ against sides from England and Europe, which has been utilised in the past.
There is a non-competitive nature to this format and whilst the Lowland League provides a structure and test against senior semi-pro sides, there is a valid argument against the quality of those sides and the real benefit in terms of player progression when some have already played in Scottish League 1 or the Premier League 2, in England.
A final decision is expected by the Lowland League early next week.