Dalbeattie Star Ritchie Maxwell is looking forward to coming up against Rangers and Celtic Colts next season, despite his club’s opposition to the plans, and thinks it is a good thing for both players and coaches.
Dalbeattie were one of the clubs to vote against the proposals to allow the Old Firm to field a Colt team in the fifth tier for a season and Maxwell thinks it will be a good opportunity to come up against some of the best young players in Scotland.
While neither Colt team will be eligible for promotion or relegation, they are likely to be a challenge to the teams at the top of the table as Rangers and Celtic continue to push for the proposals to be given approval on a long-term basis.
“There are positives and negatives to it,” Maxwell said, as quoted by the Daily Record. “Obviously Dalbeattie as a club voted against the proposal, I think we just wanted a wee bit more time and information but we voted against it as it currently stands.
“I think from a players and management point of view it’s a good opportunity. We’ll be playing against Old Firm teams so we will be up against what are supposed to be some of the best young players in the country.
“We should also be up against coaches who have been through the system and should have their UEFA A and B licences and hopefully it will bring in crowds.
“So from a manager and player position I personally think it’s a good thing but I understand the club voted against it. It’s been voted through now and that’s how things go in a democratic society.”
Long-term benefits from Rangers and Celtic Colts in the league
Both sides of the Old Firm have long been in favour of adding Colts to the pyramid but SPFL clubs were opposed to their admission.
With Rangers and Celtic making sizeable financial payments to clubs, there are obvious short-term benefits to clubs.
Letting the Old Firm’s Colts (and those of other interested clubs) enter thy pyramid should help improve the quality of young players between 16-21.
Far too many end up falling out of the game at that age group as they struggle with the step up from Academy to senior football.
Exposing them to first-team action at a younger age should help them cope better when they reach higher levels and drive up standards.
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