Hamilton Accies boss Brian Rice has voiced his frustration after the latest plan to introduce Rangers and Celtic Colts sides into the Scottish Professional Football League hit the skids.
A plan to introduce the controversial 'B' teams into League Two in 2022-23, creating an expanded SPFL of 48 teams, with the inclusion of Highland and Lowland League sides, was torpedoed before it even went to a vote.
Accies pride themselves in bringing through young talent, with 14 academy players in their squad for their 1-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Edinburgh City, and Rice says scrapping the proposal has blocked a pathway for several youngsters at the two Glasgow clubs.
While recognising it will be harder for kids at Rangers and Celtic to break into their first team, Rice says they must be given a chance, and both clubs should keep pushing.
"Things like this set us back," said Rice. "I'm really disappointed.
"You look all over Europe and there are colts teams or second teams playing in proper leagues.
"The clubs benefit, but more importantly the youngsters coming through benefit, playing competitive football in a league structure.
"I can understand financially and other sides where clubs maybe don't want them in, or they see it as a threat.
"But my own personal opinion is we've got to get these teams into leagues and make it competitive.
"Don't give up, keep pushing.
"If you give up, what message are you sending to the kids?
"They are the future of Scottish football, so never give up. One day that door might open.
"There's got to be pathways for the kids to play football, otherwise we lose good players.
"They've fallen in love with football, if they don't get a chance then who knows what happens to them.
"These teams invest a lot of money in kids and sometimes they just fall out of the game."
Celtic and Rangers have brokered a deal to have 'B' teams in the Lowland League - which kicks off this weekend - for one season only.
This is under the strict understanding that it's for one season only, and neither side can be promoted or relegated.
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