B or Colt teams in the Lower Leagues.

[Thistle Scotland Europe]

I think it is time we allowed the big sides, or all Premier sides to put second teams in the lower divisions.

Purpose

The point in this is to help Scotland produce more talented football players, who can go on to help the Scottish international team reach and do well in major championships.

The more talented players we have, the more chance of Scotland doing well in international football

It is not to help Celtic or Rangers. It is to help the Scottish international team. Although the big sides would benefit from this move.

Justification.

At present many young Scottish players do not get early senior level experience because there are other players in their way. So players are not tested at competitive level football. Giving players early experience of competitive football is vital for their development

Examples.

In Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Portugal and Germany , the big sides play reserve teams in the lower divisions, so that young players can test themselves against grown men, and at competitive levels.

The most striking example is Croatia. Croatia a nation that has reached the World Cup Final with a population smaller than Scotland. In Croatia, 3 teams Osijek, Zagreb, and Hajduk Split have second teams playing in the second division. So in Croatia. No one says it is just persecuting the smaller sides or ganging up with the big 3 sides to let the big sides to have second teams in the league system. People in Croatia realise that having the big sides having reserve teams in the lower divisions, is a way of guaranteeing young top players at the big sides will get competitive experience of football at a young age, They put the Croatian international side above the petty interests of each club.   

What I want for Scottish Football.

I want Scotland to do well in major championships. I want Scottish clubs to do well in European club competitions. I want Scottish football to be seen as a major league in Europe and the World.

So we need a system that produces more top players, great elite club sides who can do well in Europe. Have high attendances in the Scottish League. Attracting great players to play in Scotland.

 

The Critics of the idea.

That this is taking places in the league away from smaller sides.

But I think any team big enough to be in the Scottish League, should be offered a place in the Scottish League.

But

A)      You should not put the interests of a part time team finishing 8 places higher in the league system above the interests of the Scottish international team producing good players. That is a betrayal of Scottish nationality.  

B)      What gets on my nerves is people who say we should have less team in the Scottish Football League. Then the next minute complain about B teams being put in the league on the basis that they might take places away from smaller sides like Brora Rangers of Kelty Hearts, that they have just said should not be in the Scottish League. Let me reiterate I think Brora and Kelty should be in the Scottish League, but I also think the big side’s reserve teams should be in the league, so every young Scottish player, at the big sides has the capability to show what they are capable of on a football field.

People will say well why don’t ’the big clubs just play young players in their first team more often.

My argument to that. Is that that is not living in the real world. If the elite sides just played inexperienced sides in their first team every season, they would do worse in the league, and would perform terribly in European competitions. What we need a system that enables all our club sides to do well but also produces more international players

Those who don’t care about Scottish football’s reputation. -

What gets on my nerves is people who don’t care how well Scottish clubs do in Europe. And don’t care how well the international side does in international football. And then have the cheek to pretend that they have sincere views on how to help Scottish football develop at club level and international level.

They tend to put forward ridiculous ideas like suggesting that we should let Celtic and Rangers join the English League and that losing our biggest sides would help Scottish football. Or they say stupid things like well our teams do rubbish in Europe so who cares about making a system to that makes them do better   Or they bring up sore points from years ago, that justify their hatred of the big, or elite clubs in Scottish football. And then these people have the cheek for us to take their views on how to help Scottish football seriously.

I know one person suggested that every Scottish club should be part time. How the heck would Scottish football club perform in Europe, if we lost all our top players to other leagues and could not attract top foreign players to the league? It is utter nonsense.

I know one person who said they would rather their own side win the league rather than Scotland producing top players.

 

The Rangers Celtic Critics

You will get some who will suggest all I want to do is have Celtic and Rangers winning the lower leagues. That is not what this is about. It is about motivating the top clubs to develop young Scottish players without damaging their chances in Europe.

My Plan

I would have every Scottish Premier side, be allowed a under 21-year old sides in the bottom tier of the SPFL. That would be a good level for Scottish players to develop. I would also allow the under 21-year old sides to have 3 over 21 year old players in their teams. This is to ensure there are players who can teach their younger players what to do in competitive football games. As you need some older experienced players to pass on tricks of the trade and composure to the less experienced players.

You will get some who will say what about the loan system.

But the loan system would not give an entire Premier side’s youth team in their side. You would be lucky for a lower division team to give more than 3 young players a chance.

How would you like it if your fave side had to play a reserve side?

I remember one critic of my idea said well how would Aberdeen fans like it if they had to play the Real Madrid B side?

I would be happy to have it that Colt or B sides do not play in the Scottish domestic cups, if this happened.

My answer to that would be;

1)      I am not Spanish. I am not interested in helping Spanish sides develop. I am interested in helping Scottish players at the big clubs develop. Why would your first argument be to ask how I would be interested in helping foreign teams to do better. Do you see the Scottish sides, in the same esteem as foreign sides.  

2)      The only way Aberdeen could play Real Madrid B side in competitive football, would be if there was a European Super League, and Aberdeen found themselves in a division with Real Madrid’s second team, it would not bother me. If it was about playing Nice one week, Livorno the next, and then Real Madrid’s second side. I would take that, if that was our level.

 

Other advantages of this idea;

1. Imagine a Celtic B v Rangers B game filling a large stadium. Imagine the lower Scottish leagues listing 20,000 or 30,000 fans turning up for a League One or League Two decider. It would make Scottish football look better.

2. The big clubs would get better players because their players had developed more at a young age. So could perform better in European competitions.

3. Smaller club’s fans would be able to see the young potential Scottish stars at their stadiums,

4. There would be more attention given to the lower leagues, as the big club’s fans would want to know how their teams were getting on.

5. It could lead to great players from other countries coming to Scotland due to Scotland having a better youth development system.

6. Every club in Scotland has the potential to reach the Premier, and then have a B team in the lower leagues. Every club in Scotland could be in the Premier, with the right backing behind them. So this could be something all Scottish clubs could look forward to doing. 40 years ago Ross County were a small club in the Highland League. Now they are an established side in the Premier. That could happen to almost any club in Scotland, with the current pyramid system. Look at other examples in the past like Clydebank, and Dumbarton.

 

Hope you have enjoyed reading my views,

Thanks,

[Jacksgranda]

I don't

[TheScarf]

Get fucked. 

[Wilbur]

5 minutes ago, Thistle Scotland Europe said:

Hope you have enjoyed reading my views.

Nope.

Having one Rangers and one Celtic in the SPFL is more than adequate. Any more would certainly be too many.

[TheScarf]

Also, Ross County are a terrible example to use. They're bankrolled by a multi millionaire. 

[KillieCon]

No.

[RandomGuy.]

TL;DR

[Richey Edwards]

Rangers were in the lower leagues not that long ago and it never helped us qualify for any tournaments.

[invergowrie arab]

Ban this c**t 

[jagfox]

[Raidernation]

Whatever

[Ric]

I think someone forgot this isn't a blog site.

Personally I am massively against it, although if actual data demonstrated direct benefit to the game as a whole and not just a select few clubs then I could be persuaded.

Don't stop me disliking the idea.

[Mark Connolly]

Colt teams in the lower leagues, everyone except the cheeks in the Johnson's Paint Trophy? Looks like the Cockwomble has finally discovered P&B.

Hiya Neil, hiya pal!

[Munoz]

I would rather go and watch Morton. 

[kingjoey]

No, no, thrice no.

[akredz]

48 minutes ago, Thistle Scotland Europe said:

1. ....

Load of contradictory nonsense.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Quote

Imagine a Celtic B v Rangers B game filling a large stadium. Imagine the lower Scottish leagues listing 20,000 or 30,000 fans turning up for a League One or League Two decider. It would make Scottish football look better.

Fucking would it, aye?

[vikingTON]

International football is an utter irrelevance and the sooner that the Hamish Husband brigades wrap their heads around that instead of trying to ruin real football for the vast majority of fans in Scotland, the fewer of these shite proposals will be inflicted upon us all.

[peternapper]

Have repeatedly said it should be one team per club in the league system. I would stop going to league games completely if this abomination ever came to pass.

[TonyFerrino]

1 hour ago, Thistle Scotland Europe said:

Imagine a Celtic B v Rangers B game filling a large stadium. Imagine the lower Scottish leagues listing 20,000 or 30,000 fans turning up for a League One or League Two decider. It would make Scottish football look better.

I think "citation needed" in order.  If anything it would make it look more two-bit. 

The only way I want to see another The Rangers in the lower leagues is in The Banter Years v2.  Unfortunately I think it's a bit of a stretch to see Celtic down there, but one can hope.