Old Firm Colts plan to be put to the vote

PLANS to introduce Celtic and Rangers Colts teams into an expanded 16-strong League Two have been submitted to the SFA with a vote now set to take place. A proposal to admit Old Firm B sides to the senior leagues as part of a league reconstruction blueprint failed to gain the support of clubs last summer. Keen to breathe life into the idea, though, Rangers managing director Stewart Robertson sought approval from the Professional Game Board to form a working party with Steve Brown of St Johnstone, Partick Thistle’s Gerry Britton, Stenhousemuir chairman Iain McMenemy and George Fraser of the Lowland League.

They have now submitted a draft paper with a proposal to admit two colts teams, two teams from the Highland League and two from the Lowland League to a beefed-up 16-team bottom division.

Senior figures in Scottish football believe the revamped plan is still unlikely to gain the support it needs from clubs to pass.

To sweeten the pill, Rangers and Celtic are prepared to pay £1.5million each over five years to be distributed among SPFL clubs.

While clubs in Leagues One and Two remain to be convinced, a bigger League Two could offer struggling clubs such as Albion Rovers a safety net from relegation if adopted for next season. Rovers boss Brian Reid said: ‘The way to solve everything would be reconstruction this season. Whether the colts are involved or not, it would be something fresh. ‘I’ve always been a fan of only playing teams twice a season, home and away. ‘If Leagues One and Two were expanded, it would be more refreshing for everyone. ‘There are some ambitious clubs down the pyramid who have spent money and would bring value to the league. ‘I wouldn’t be against a bigger league and players would really enjoy it. Sometimes, you can draw a team in the cup and play them six times in a season. It’s ridiculous and far too much. Supporters get fed up with it as well and that shows in the attendances.’ It’s hoped Highland and Lowland League teams will back the plan, which would grant a place in the senior ranks to the likes of Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers. Dave Buglass of Lowland League Berwick Rangers told Sportsmail: ‘We need to be fair to the clubs who have invested significantly in promotion to League Two. ‘Kelty and East Kilbride are better than the majority of the teams in SPFL2 and better-run as well. The teams in our league deserve a chance to go up, full stop. ‘If the Colts plan is the way to do that, then it should be considered.’