The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has announced that 15-year-olds can play in senior matches across all competitions.
This change is part of an effort to boost youth development and align with other major UK leagues.
The decision comes after frustration last season when former Rangers boss, Danny Rohl, couldn't field highly-rated 15-year-olds, Kyle Glasgow and Ashton Scally, in a Scottish Cup tie against Annan Athletic. Previously, players had to be over 16 to participate.
The Scottish Cup is run by the SFA, but similar age restrictions were in place for all SPFL tournaments. These limits have now been lifted. The SPFL has positioned this change as a key step in helping top prospects gain earlier exposure to senior football.
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The decision follows a positive trial in the KDM Evolution Trophy, where allowing 15-year-olds to play was credited with creating more opportunities at the crucial transition phase between academy and first team.
The SPFL said in a statement that the rule change is "designed to support youth development across the Scottish game" and bring its competitions in line with the Scottish Women's Premier League, the Premier League, and the English Football League.
The league also noted that discussions with clubs highlighted how opening the door to 15-year-olds in last season's KDM Evolution Trophy "created more opportunities for young players as they approach the key transition phase between academy and senior football."
SPFL chief executive, Neil Doncaster, said: "We’re also pleased to confirm that clubs can now field 15-year-olds across all SPFL competitions.
"Following positive discussions with our clubs and the success of the change in last season’s KDM Evolution Trophy, we believe this will create even more opportunities for the country’s brightest young players to gain valuable first-team experience."
