Former East Kilbride manager Chris Aitken says Celtic and Rangers' Lowland League 'B' teams have brought plenty of positives to the division.
The Glasgow giants will see their youth teams enter the fifth tier for a second season after their controversial inclusion this campaign.
A vote has passed their involvement in 2022/23 after a successful maiden term, but there has still be opposition to the plans from other parties.
Aitken left his role as EK boss last month and was impressed by his tussles with the Celtic and Rangers youth teams.
Speaking on the Lanarkshire Live Sport Podcast , the former Morton player believes it allowed his players to test themselves against Scotland's best youngsters.
He said: "We are never, ever going to please everybody. But players want to play in front of good crowds where the atmosphere is good.
"These kids at Celtic and Rangers are meant to be the elite kids. So why would we not want to test ourselves against them?
"I said to my younger players to go and test yourselves against these guys. Then you can think about what they do, their fitness levels, their energy levels, they don't take touch, touch, touch.
"I don't think we'll get everybody happy. I don't see why we can't get our two elite clubs' 'B' teams into the pyramid somewhere."
Arguments against the colts include a blockage in the pyramid system from tiers like the West of Scotland Football League, but Aitken added: "Darvel v Auchinleck Talbot had 2,000 at their game this week.
"What would they bring to the league? Are they allowed to fight their corner? Absolutely. It's looking like one of them might be in next year.
"If they are, I am sure they will be delighted when they play Celtic or Rangers. But because they are trying to get in, it looks as if it's getting further away from them because Celtic and Rangers are in, plus there's talk of others.
"I can understand everything that's happened, and why some are unhappy, as they have invested a lot of money in getting up."
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
