Innovation group proposal fails to gather enough backing from SPFL clubs

The proposal would have seen the SPFL expand to 48 teams with Celtic and Rangers B teams entering the pyramid

Published 13th Jul 2021
Last updated 13th Jul 2021

A proposal that would have seen the SPFL expanded to 48 teams - along with the introduction of Celtic and Rangers B teams - has fallen at an indicative vote.

The paper was put forward to clubs detailing plans where a total of six clubs would be introduced over the next three seasons.

That would have included B teams from both Celtic and Rangers - but it fell significantly short of the backing required to merit bringing forward a written resolution.

An SPFL spokesman said: “We would like to thank the members of the Innovation Group - Stewart Robertson, Gerry Britton, Steve Brown, Iain McMenemy and George Fraser - for their hard work and commitment in putting together such detailed proposals.

“Importantly, their paper has generated wide-ranging debate on how we improve the development of young Scottish players.

“The challenge now is to continue discussions right across the game on how we can maintain the momentum which resulted in the Scotland men’s national team qualifying for UEFA EURO 2020.”

A Scottish FA spokesperson said: “The Professional Game Board exists as a forum for strategic discussion on ways of improving the senior game in Scotland. It remains committed to working collaboratively to that end and we thank the members of the Innovation Group for their contribution to this proposal.”