Four subs on cards for all of Betfred Cup

THE SPFL are hoping to introduce a rule to allow clubs to field four substitutes throughout the Betfred Cup.

Next season’s tournament will follow the William Hill Scottish Cup in permitting managers to make a fourth change in the extra-time period.

Ian McCall made history last week with a quartet of substitutions as Ayr United progressed past Queen’s Park into the fifth round after a replay penalty shoot-out.

The Betfred Cup knockout phase will be able to follow suit from 2017/18. The league is now keen to explore extending the rule to the group games, which go straight to penalties after 90 minutes.

‘At the moment, the only permission we have from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) is for the fourth substitute in extra-time,’ said SPFL secretary Iain Blair.

‘We can also use that in the IRN-BRU Cup. We’re working with IFAB to see if we can get a fourth substitute in terms of 90 minutes, albeit in certain circumstances. But that won’t happen next season.’

The idea would meet with the approval of managers, including Rangers boss Mark Warburton, who has expressed concern on the impact of the cramped group schedule on players working up to full fitness.

Next season, presumably without Europa League qualifying-bound Rangers, Betfred Cup teams will complete their sections between Saturday, July 15 and Saturday, July 29.

This season, Rangers contested four games in just 10 days.

‘With only normal rules and three substitutes — because it’s a FIFAdriven competition — you’re having to use eight guys for 90 minutes four times in ten days,’ said Warburton.