Rangers legend Barry Ferguson will be given the chance to lead his Kelty Hearts side to a place in the SPFL after it was confirmed the Pyramid Playoffs will go ahead after getting legal approval.
With uncertainty over whether the Playoffs would be suspended for a second successive year, the Scottish FA and SPFL this afternoon confirmed the games would take place, with the winner going on to challenge ‘Club 42’ for a place in League Two next season.
Kelty will face Highland League champions Brora Rangers for the right to take on Brechin and both will be looking to secure their spot league for the first time in their history.
Brechin City currently occupy the 42nd spot in the SPFL and the Angus side could find themselves plying their trade in the Highland League next season.
Rangers teen Chris McKee is currently on loan with Brechin and could find himself going up against Ibrox icon Ferguson’s Kelty next month.
Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA Chief Executive, told the SFA website: “The principle of the Scottish football pyramid is of huge importance to the integrity of open competition. It was vital, given the implications for all three clubs, that the respective organisations took all practicable steps to ensure that the play-offs could take place.
“We are delighted that the decision by the judge corresponded with the view of the Scottish FA and provides the necessary clarity to the league bodies and certainty to those clubs affected.”
Neil Doncaster, Chief Executive of the SPFL, said: “Like so many aspects of our sport, both the clubs and the SPFL have been in uncharted territory as a result of the disruption caused by COVID-19. We are 100% committed to the principle of the sporting pyramid but were understandably keen to ensure that any decisions reached were both fair and in accordance with the rules and agreements of all four organisations.
“We therefore worked with the Scottish FA to conduct an arbitration in front of a senior judge and are very pleased that the position has been definitively clarified, and that this season’s Pyramid Play-Off Matches will proceed as normal.”
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