Rangers B sell out already proving critics wrong on historic Colts campaign – Our View

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Rangers and Celtic’s bold plans to field Colt/B teams in the professional leagues have been met with fierce criticism from fans of other teams across Scotland – however an announcement from the Ibrox side yesterday is already showing that the plan is proving critics wrong.

After finally being voted into the Lowland League, following several failed attempts at entering the SPFL, Rangers B host Bo’ness United tomorrow at Dumbarton’s C&G Systems Stadium in front of a capacity crowd of 300.

While the ground holds just over 2000, social distancing regulations currently only allow 300 spectators as Rangers fans clamour to see the Colts make history.

Despite Rangers and Celtic fans following their side in large numbers, there was a belief that Old Firm fans would have no interest in seeing their youngsters in competitive action despite fans of both sides adamant they would.

Rangers are also showing the game live on Rangers TV as fans get excited over seeing the best young talent at the club try and push their way up the ranks.

Gers fans turning out in numbers to support the youth sides shouldn’t come as a surprise though as it has been happening, in spurts, over the years.

Almost 40,000 turned out at Ibrox for a reserve game between Rangers and Celtic in the late 90s, albeit under a rather special set of circumstances, but the 5000 or so who turned up at Ibrox to see the Colts take on Wrexham in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup in 2019/20 didn’t have the same lack of games as an ‘excuse’.

Youth Cup games at Ibrox have generally drawn gates compaable with many League One or Two clubs and even fixtures in the Reserve League have sometimes drawn as many as four figures.

While it is still early days, it is clear there is a real appetite from supporters to get along and support the Rangers and Celtic youngsters in their historic Lowland League campaign.

Listen to any of the critics though and they’ll quickly insist that there is no demand from fans to see Rangers and Celtic’s B teams in the leagues.

A sell out at Dumbarton has already shown that one to be nonsense – and it won’t take too long for the other objections to be blown out the water too.