THE Old Firm could have "colt" teams left in Scottish football even if they get their wish to leave and compete in the Barclays Premier League.
A proposal distributed to the Scottish Football League clubs yesterday by David Longmuir, the governing body's chief executive, speculated about dealing with the possibility of Celtic and Rangers competing in England or elsewhere.
The document invited the SFL clubs to consider a 12-12-10-10 format which would include the introduction of Celtic and Rangers reserve teams. Longmuir claimed the Scottish game must protect itself from the economic disadvantages of potentially losing the Old Firm, and argued that introducing "colt" teams would soften the blow.
The idea has been discussed and dismissed in the past, though, and other clubs and supporters have been fiercely hostile to the idea.
"If both clubs were to leave without the legacy of a colt team and an annual financial settlement, Scottish football would face significant drops in commercial, marketing and media investment," read the proposal. "Games may be more competitive but that would come with a potential reduction in quality and resources.
"The legacy of a colt team would allow Scottish football to profit from the success of the parent club or team, but provide domestic football which would be competitive, interesting and attractive. It would operate more along the lines of a community club.
"Only when the parent clubs moved out of Scotland, would the colt team then have the freedom to progress through the leagues based on their sporting success. The colt team would be unable to be promoted to a division above if their 'parent' team were participating in that division, nor could they participate in any cup competition where the 'parent' club were participating."
But, by that interpretation, there would be nothing to prevent Old Firm colt teams competing in the top division, and in the Scottish Cup and League Cups, if the clubs realise their primary ambition to play elsewhere. Uefa are opposed to cross-border leagues, although they have been open to experiments of late. English clubs have been opposed to Celtic and Rangers joining them, which could mean colt and senior teams playing in Scottish football if the proposal was approved.
Scottish Premier League clubs will vote on a 12-12-18 format on April 15. No date has been fixed for the Scottish League clubs to meet and vote on Longmuir's proposal. That is also likely to be next month, though, because both bodies would like to have a structure in place for next season.
Under the draft rulebook for a single Scottish Professional Football League, clubs in the top two divisions would not be required to have an all-seated stadium, which could mean a return of standing areas.
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