Glasgow Rangers brought the 2018-19 SPFL Reserve League title to Ibrox but they won’t be competing in it next season.
Glasgow Rangers director of football Mark Allen has expressed his frustration with the Scottish football authorities for not considering the proposal to have B-teams in the nation’s football league following the Ibrox club’s withdrawal from the reserve league (Rangers TV).
The Gers youngsters had a successful campaign last time out in which they brought the 2018-19 SPFL Reserve League title to Ibrox after a 3-1 final-day win over Falkirk, pipping Old Firm rivals Celtic on goal difference.
However, the decision has been taken for the Light Blues to return to the Games Programme they were part of two seasons ago, which saw them lock horns with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Benfica and Bayern Munich (official Gers website), with Allen feeling this will provide more of a challenge for the reserves.
In conversation with Rangers TV, he said: “During my time at the highest level of academy football in England and now in Scotland I have maintained that it is critical that we expose our young players to matches against men as early as possible, while combining the teaching of a playing style which will equip our players for the modern game now and in the future.
“It is clear that the ‘B’ team concept, which is utilised with great success in many countries throughout the world, is the obvious answer to the difficulties faced by players transitioning from the academy to a first team. We are frustrated that the decision-making process in Scotland has prevented us from introducing a ‘B’ team proposal that they have been able to implement so successfully in so many other nations.”
In addition to their Games Programme, Rangers will also compete in the UEFA Youth League as Under-18 titleholders and will continue to play in leagues in Scotland at that level.
The reserves’ pre-season will consist of games against reserve teams from Chelsea, Manchester United and Ajax as well as against the first teams of Ayr United, Crusaders and Cambridge United.
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