Scottish football chiefs have backed a move to allow concussion substitutions to be used in the event of a head injury from early next month.
The SPFL has followed the lead of the English Premier League in allowing teams to make up to two additional changes should a serious head knock occur.
The 42 clubs within the league pyramid system - including Hearts and Hibernian - have given their support to the proposals, which will be on an official 'trial basis' until the end of the campaign.
It comes after an announcement by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in December 2020 that footballing authorities could trial the protocol between January and August 2021.
SPFL chief Neil Doncaster insisted the wellbeing of players was the most important aspect behind the decision in the wake of yet another former player, Scotland international Gordon McQueen’s, receiving a diagnosis of vascular dementia.
He said: "The safety and wellbeing of players is clearly of the utmost importance to everyone involved with running football.
"Yesterday’s tragic news that Gordon McQueen has been diagnosed with dementia is the latest reminder of why it is vital that we do everything we can to protect those playing our game.
“We have seen a great deal of positive development in concussion protocols across sport in recent years and we hope that our participation in this trial will be the next step in that process.
“The Scottish FA refereeing department has already started briefing our clubs on the details of the rule change, with that process continuing in advance of the change coming into force on 6 March.”
