SPFL TO TRIAL 5 SUBS PER GAME
AN experiment that could lead to teams being allowed to field five subs will be trialled by the SPFL Development League when it returns from its winter break this month.
And in a bid to eliminate more stoppages during matches, teams will only get three “windows” in which to make changes.
The move comes after the SPFL introduced a fourth sub to Betfred Cup and Irn-Bru Cup matches last season.
And in 2016 the SFA introduced a fourth sub rule to Scottish Cup games in the event of extra time.
Previously, clubs were only permitted to use three of their seven players on the bench.
Now the SPFL Development East and West Leagues – which include the likes of Morton, Raith and Queen of the South – will implement a new format that has the potential to see 10 players introduced during a match.
However, the elite Development League featuring squads from SPFL Premiership clubs will not be adopting the plans at present.
Subs must be made in no more than three stoppages per team per game.
An SPFL spokesman said: “We are working with the SFA to implement this change.”
Graeme Mullin, coach of SPFL West outfit East Kilbride, has welcomed the move.
He said: “I quite like the idea as it allows me to get more guys game time.
“It will benefit substitute keepers as they are the ones who generally never play because outfield subs always get priority.
“Providing it doesn’t increase stoppages, and the three window rule should see to this, there seems no reason why it couldn’t be incorporated in the senior game.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if it was as coaches would like the flexibility.”