Old Firm ‘baggage’ may derail plans for colt sides

STENHOUSEMUIR chairman Iain McMenemy believes the Old Firm face a struggle to persuade lower-league fans to accept their colt teams in the SPFL set-up.

McMenemy, who is a member of the working group finalising proposals for the plan, f ears the ‘ baggage’ associated with Rangers and Celtic is the biggest obstacle to their ideas getting a fair hearing. As Sportsmail revealed yesterday, the ‘B’ team idea is back on the agenda after being voted down by clubs as part of last summer’s failed attempt at league reconstruction.

Under proposals put forward by Ibrox managing director Stewart Robertson, Glasgow’s big two would pump an extra £1million into the game.

They would then be allowed to field colt sides in an expanded League Two, which would also add two Highland League and two Lowland League clubs — increasing the fourth tier from ten teams to 16.

The Professional Game Board have given Robertson approval to fine tune plans in a working group that includes McMenemy, Steve Brown of St Johnstone, Par tick Thistle’s Gerry Britton and George Fraser of the Lowland League.

McMenemy, whose own team are in League Two, told Sportsmail there is a lot of ground to be covered before all 42 member clubs are invited to vote on the issue.

He admitted: ‘It is by no means anywhere near getting through at the moment. It’s coming forward for discussion.

‘There are two main areas of opposition, from what I hear. The first is the integrity of the league.

‘That’s the key for a lot of people, the idea that there will be ‘ B’ teams who won’t be challenging for the title because they can’ t get promoted beyond the Championship, League One, League Two or whatever is decided.

‘There’s also the concern that a Celtic or Rangers ‘ B’ team could have six first-team players turning out one week, coming back from injury or getting game time, and then a totally different team the following week.

‘But I think these concerns can be dealt with through the competition rules.

‘The other part, and we’ve got to be honest about it, is the baggage that Rangers and Celtic bring.

‘There are a lot of fans at lower-league clubs who don’t want that anywhere near their clubs.

‘And a lot of clubs in the lower leagues are communitybased, very close to their fan base, so they are more inclined to listen to their supporters.’

Expanding on the ‘baggage’ issue, McMenemy told Sportsmail: ‘I can’t remember the last time we had a police officer at a Stenhousemuir game. Maybe someone had too much to drink and wouldn’t leave when asked, that would be about it.

‘But you draw one of the Old Firm in a cup tie and suddenly you have 60 police officers, quadruple the number of stewards — a lot of fans just don’t like that.’

Robertson’s plan includes scope for a more ‘strategic partnership’ between clubs, similar to the agreement recently announced between Stenhousemuir and Hibs.

McMenemy, impressed by what he’s seen so far, added: ‘Part of the problem is that, i n previous years, similar proposals weren’t as well thought out.

‘It was piecemeal before. So there is baggage to be overcome. They need support from clubs in League One and League Two — and there is a job to be done to get it through.

‘Let’s all have the debate and discuss anything that might take the game forward. Even if you don’t agree with it, there’s no harm in talking it through.

‘I would even expand it and get supporters’ groups involved, seek feedback from fans, look at different parts of proposals that might work.

‘I think that’s better than just saying: “Here’s a plan, let’s all vote on it”. Because, if clubs oppose one element, there may be things in there that appeal to them.

‘ We’re happy with t he strategic partnership we now have with Hibs. It enables us to do a degree of long-term planning, because the loan system is really a very shortterm measure.

‘But the colts idea is being pushed by clubs in t he Premiership. There’s a feeling that they would prefer to see their players play in the same set-up that the first team play.

‘So, for instance, whether it’s the Rangers reserves, the ‘B’ team, the Under-19s or whatever, they would stick to what Steven Gerrard wants — the same set-up, the same coaching elements.

‘That is what clubs like Celtic and Rangers are trying to promote.

‘We need to listen to it. And then clubs will ultimately decide if it comes in.

‘We’re looking at the whole proposal, the‘ B’ team proposals but also the strategic partnership.

‘That is something we’ve done with Hibs — and might be attractive to different clubs at different levels.

‘There are clubs in the Premiership who want the ‘B’ team idea to go through obviously.

‘Whether it will go through or clubs just pick and choose what they want remains to be seen.’

Proposal is by no means anywhere near getting through