CELTIC have apparently moved to support a reconstruction plan proposed by Rangers which would allow a 14-14-18 set-up in the SPFL as of next season. The Scottish Champions are in favour of the move that would allow lower league clubs to benefit from the cash from Celtic and Rangers whilst the clubs can develop youngsters.
BBC Scotland are reporting that the move is being considered as an option after Neil Doncaster wrote to club’s to ask whether they would consider a 14-team top division. However, it has also emerged that Ann Budge’s reconstruction plan has failed to gain enough votes meaning that unless a reconstruction model can be proposed quickly, Hearts will play their football in the second flight.

Rangers are set to propose a new 14-14-18 system with Kelty Hearts and Brora Rangers also promoted into the revamped League One alongside Celtic and Rangers ‘B’ teams.

The report states that the colt teams won’t be able to get promoted as high as the Championship with a team with an age limit of 21. The colts teams would allow for the club to keep an eye on their talents without the need to loan them out.

The proposal continues stating that the clubs will purchase ‘at least 200 tickets at a cost of £15 for each away game, with the money paid in advance’. The clubs need to pay £125k in order to join the division.

This move would save Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer from relegation whilst creating a larger top flight that would appease the needs for Sky to have Edinburgh derby matches live. The game is in a very peculiar position and change seems to be the best way to improve and protect the future; although whether that includes Celtic’s youth team or not remains to be seen.