Celtic B team set to continue in Lowland League despite its failings
Celtic B team set to continue in Lowland League despite its failings Celtic B team set to continue in Lowland League despite its failings. It’s clearly not an ideal environment and a return to reserve football would be a much better solution… Green Brigade at Albion Rovers v Celtic B. Photo social media The much maligned Celtic B side who compete in the Scottish Lowland League has been subject to severe scrutiny in the past few years, and despite rumours of the club’s involvement in the lower leagues coming to an end, it’s been revealed that we plan for our youngsters to compete at that level for the foreseeable future.
For me, and I’m not alone, it’s not an idea that’s working, and it brings no value whatsoever to our youth players in terms of their overall development. Something that is mighty evident in our recent record at rearing the stars of tomorrow. Didn’t Hearts take the decision to withdraw their B team from this environment, following the Rangers who did so previously.
This leaves just Celtic having a B team operating at Lowland League level. Albion Rovers players applaud the support. Photo Albion Rovers Facebook page Talk of loaning out our young players to Championship or even League One clubs is a positive step, and it will be of more benefit to them than playing for a side who have no pressure on them whatsoever, and regularly finish mid table.
But in my opinion we need a return to the old tried and trusted system of reserve football which was very much a regular fixture back in the day, and one for some reason or another that was discontinued, something that proved to be a huge mistake, not that the powers that be will admit as much. Reserve football was made up of promising youngsters, and hardened pros who were out of favour at their clubs, players also returning from injury found it a very worthwhile exercise, and more beneficial than a behind closed doors ‘bounce’ game. Albion Rovers supporters watch the game at Clydebank.
Photo Albion Rovers Facebook page Reserve football was also a regular thing. Week in week out, with games in front of some decent crowds, fixtures that had meaning, and tested players to the fullest. Something that our current crop of youngsters are lacking experience in.