Caledonian Braves boss Ricky Waddell backs Rangers and Celtic Colts’ inclusion in the Lowland League, and says it will help with player development.
But he says that Scottish football needs a radical shake-up and promotion and relegation to be set in stone as a fairer model across the entire pyramid.
Waddell, a former Rangers development coach, says he understands there might be frustration from clubs in leagues below the Lowland League, but he and his players have no problem in the Glasgow giants’ ‘B’ teams being introduced from next season.
He said: “Purely looking at it from a Scottish football perspective, and a player development perspective, I think it’s a good idea.
“If you look at the bigger picture in Scottish football, young players need a competitive environment to go and play their football.
“For me, personally, I would be quite happy if Rangers and Celtic Colts came in.
“I spoke to the players as well on Saturday and asked their thoughts on it and they’re open to it as well.
“I think as long as it’s done in the right way and there are clear boundaries on players and things like that and how it’s going to work, I’m not against it.
“I do understand, however, there are tiers underneath ours and they might be a little bit frustrated if Rangers and Celtic do have Colt teams in our division because they might ask why they don’t come in to the bottom division.
“But I think the point of it is there’s not going to be any promotion or relegation, it’s player development-focused, and it gives those players an opportunity to play at a good, competitive, senior level in football and to develop as players.”
Waddell says he wants to see change, and reckons Covid times are as good as any to take a step back and look at how Scottish football operates.
He said: “Scottish football needs a huge shake-up in terms of how it’s organised, managed, and the structures that are in place. There is too much politics.
“The model that we currently use, with membership of the SPFL, SFA, different organisations and the different leagues, I’m not sure that works.
“I would love for the SFA to say ‘this is the way the structure is going to be, there’s going to be promotion and relegation right the way through the pyramid, that you’ll get rewarded if you’re ambitious and striving to build a better environment for your club.
“I feel now is probably a good time to do that, I think the Covid situation probably highlighted the weaknesses in Scottish football’s structure.
“The whole structure needs to be changed above us, and to offer a better opportunity for ambitious clubs to try and progress in a more fair and equal system.”
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