SPFL’s rejection of Rangers’ B-team plan leaves Billy Stark baffled

Billy Stark says the rejection of Rangers’ colts plan is an opportunity missed for the Scottish game.

Under the proposal submitted by the Ibrox club, they and Celtic would both have fielded B teams in the bottom division of a 14-14-18 league set-up.

But with the suggested revamp failing to garner sufficient support from the SPFL’s members, it was thrown out at a meeting of the League’s board during the week.

Clubs, who earlier gave the thumbs down to Hearts’ push to a temporary switch to 14-14-14, are now being canvassed to see if there is enthusiasm for a formal vote on a permanent change to 14-10-10-10.

Stark joined St Mirren in 1975, and worked his way up to also play with Aberdeen and Celtic, before becoming a coach which led all the way to him being Scotland caretaker manager in 2012 following the departure of Craig Levein.

Now the country’s Under-19 coach, Stark said: “My interest is in the development of young players, and in that respect the rejection of the colts teams proposal is disappointing.

“I believe this would have offered an excellent opportunity for the accelerated development of some of the country’s very brightest talents.

“I am not sure why people would oppose it.

“The plan would have given kids from both Old Firm clubs regular competitive football against senior professionals.

“It is hard to overstate how important that can be for players of their age. There is so much they can learn about what is required to succeed in the game.

“Football is not only about technical ability. It is about having the right attitude, and being able to adapt and thrive in different situations. Dealing with the physical test of playing against older, stronger players is one obvious example.

“Kids can have the skills – but are they prepared to battle to assert themselves for the team?”

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It is a Scottish football paradox, Stark argues, that often the players most sought after as youths end up getting the least amount of first-team experience when they need it the most.

“Celtic and Rangers pick up a lot of the players with the most obvious potential. That won’t surprise people,” he said.

“However, if you fast forward a couple of years, often the ones who were passed over by Old Firm – who might have been second or third choice – will have kicked on past them. They will have gone to the likes of Hamilton Accies, been given a chance in the club’s first-team early, and grabbed it.

“Fans will often look at that, and call for them to be fast-tracked into the national teams as a result.

“I understand the argument because they have often developed at a faster rate than the young players at bigger clubs.

“As coaches, though, we have to decide if that is in the best interests of the senior side.

“It is difficult. On the one hand you can get an Andy Robertson, who got let go by Celtic and then worked his way right back up to the very top with Liverpool.

“On the other, you have Billy Gilmour, who has always looked exceptional. I am sure he would have been a first-team fixture at Rangers by now had he stayed put.

“So it is knowing when to play them.

“I will always be grateful to Alex Ferguson for giving me my chance early at St Mirren, along with the likes of Tony Fitzpatrick and Lex Richardson.

“That was great for us, but it also really benefited Saints because it gave the club a reputation for promoting youth.”

Stark’s view is that the colts proposal would have gone a long way to address the experience issue.

“I think it would have made a difference, and I don’t think it would necessarily have stopped at Rangers and Celtic,” he said.

“Aberdeen and Hibs have shown enthusiasm for B-team plans before, and both make the development of their own talent a priority.

“Had the Old Firm move gone ahead, who is to say they might not have got involved further down the line?

“As it is, it could be a long time before we get this chance again.”