Ibrox Exclusive: Alex Bruce backs idea for Rangers B-team to be introduced to lower leagues
We’re delighted to welcome former Scottish Premiership defender Alex Bruce as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Rangers…
Alex Bruce has claimed that he would be in favour of Rangers introducing a B-team into the Scottish lower leagues.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, the former Kilmarnock defender claimed that the move could greatly benefit the Gers’ youth talents by giving them a more fitting level of competition from an early age.
The Glaswegian giants have raised a proposal to the SPFL that would see themselves and Celtic enter reserve teams into the third tier of the Scottish footballing pyramid as part of a restructured 14-14-18 league setup.
Neither side would be able to get promoted beyond the Championship, and both would have an age restriction of 21.
And Bruce has admitted that he supports the plan.
Speaking to Ibrox News, he said: “I don’t think it’s a bad idea.
“I think when they’ve got such academies, the competition that they can attract at youth team level might not be as good as they might like.
“Introducing them into the Scottish leagues, playing against men, will obviously further their development and benefit them. If they can do that, I don’t think it would be a bad thing.
“We’ve seen it done with clubs across Europe before, so I don’t see any reason why not.”
As part of the plan, Rangers and Celtic would pay a £125,000 joining fee that would be followed by a decreasing follow-up fee for three subsequent seasons – providing a total of £1.2 million to the third tier in new finance.
It is understood that the Gers could face a battle to push through their plan, however, with a number of lower league clubs said to be against the idea.
In other Rangers news, Report – Rangers could face competition from Cardiff City for mooted target Dykes.