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Elgin City 'disappointment' at hearing via press reports about SPFL league reconstruction proposal to bring Rangers and Celtic B teams and four Highland and Lowland League teams into League 2 next season


By Craig Christie

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SCOTTISH football is set for more league reconstruction talks after a fresh bid to allow Rangers and Celtic colt teams into League 2.

Elgin City faced a Celtic colts team for Mark Nicolson's testimonial in 2017. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
Elgin City faced a Celtic colts team for Mark Nicolson's testimonial in 2017. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

Elgin City have expressed "disappointment" with the news in a club statement ahead of an SPFL board meeting on Monday to discuss the proposals.

It is understood that the Old Firm clubs have revisited the idea of introducing their under-21 sides into the senior league set-up, with a financial sweetener for the lower league clubs.

The proposal is believed to include Rangers and Celtic B teams, two Highland League and two Lowland League sides to join League 2 next term in a new 16-team division.

Elgin City played Rangers in the league in 2012-13, and could face their B team if league reconstruction is agreed.
Elgin City played Rangers in the league in 2012-13, and could face their B team if league reconstruction is agreed.

The Old Firm colts can't get promoted above League 1, gain any cash based on league position or voting rights, and play in the Scottish or League Cups.

Claims have also been made that clubs in Leagues 1 and 2 would stand to gain at least £100,000 over the initial five-year period of the proposed reconstruction.

The proposal was revealed through national media and Elgin City issued a statement today based on the matters raised.

It read: "It is with disappointment that the Club once again find out about a proposed major change to the structure of the SPFL through the press.

"Our understanding is that a proposal will be submitted to the SPFL board on Monday for their deliberation.

"It will then be passed to the 42 Clubs of the SPFL for their consideration.

"There is a lot of information being bandied about but Elgin City FC will make no further statements until the full facts are provided to the Club."

League reconstruction talks were held last summer following the premature finish to the 2019-20 SPFL season.

Celtic, Dundee United, Raith Rovers and Cove Rangers were awarded the respective league titles of the four divisions based on average points per match played prior to the season ending due to Covid-19.

Brora Rangers, pictured in pre-season action at Elgin, could see their hopes of a step-up to League 2 raised by league reconstruction talks. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Brora Rangers, pictured in pre-season action at Elgin, could see their hopes of a step-up to League 2 raised by league reconstruction talks. Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

Bottom clubs Hearts, Partick Thistle and Stranraer were relegated under the same conditions but no play-offs were held for additional promotion and relegation issues.

Highland League champions Brora Rangers and Lowland League winners Kelty Hearts were denied a play-off match for the right to face League 2 bottom club Brechin City, who escaped possible relegation as a result.

Various reconstruction options were raised last year, including three leagues of 14 with no relegation, and an expanded bottom division with both Brora and Kelty gaining promotion.

All proposals were rejected in a vote by SPFL clubs in favur of the existing 12-10-10-10 structure.


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