Reserves couldbe backfor nextterm
THE SPFL could bring back the Reserve League from as early as next season after holding talks with clubs about replacing the underfire Development League.
With proposals for Old Firm Colt teams to join League Two having been met by opposition a return to reserve teams, which would be for all players aged 16 and over, is now being considered.
The Development League, which has a 14-team top flight and East and West divisions, only allows clubs to play up to five players over the age of 20.
And critics claim the development of young talent is being hampered as games aren’t competitive enough.
Age-restricted secondstring football was first introduced in 1998 as an Under-21 league before being scrapped in 2004.
The Under-20s set-up has been in place since 2009.
But an SPFL spokesman said: “Work is ongoing to identify better ways of developing players in Scotland – particularly those in the 18 to 21 age group.
“We are working closely with our member clubs and the SFA and hope to be in a position to announce changes for next season in due course.
“These changes are expected to be in relation to the Development League/ Reserve League, the player loan system and the Irn-Bru Cup in which Premiership clubs field a Colts team.”
Celtic and Rangers had been keen to introduce permanent Colt teams from next season but the two-year pilot proposal was not welcomed by a number of League Two clubs.
Stenhousemuir and Stirling voiced their opposition while Peterhead manager Jim McInally accused the Glasgow clubs of being “bullies”.