Celtic are set to leave the reserve league in a groundbreaking decision for their under-20s.
This is Celtic’s first full season in the newly-formed division. Currently, they sit in third place and have the chance to win the title on Monday afternoon against St Johnstone at Lennoxtown.
The young Hoops also overcame Rangers in the City of Glasgow Cup final on Tuesday night at Celtic Park. But the reserve league also only offers under-20s 17 league games each season. That’s not even half of the 38-game calendar the senior side has.
And it looks as though the Hoops look set to quit the league permanently this summer. Speaking in the Scotsman, Head of Youth Development Chris McCart opened up on the club’s thought process.
“We wanted to create a colts team in the lower leagues but that was knocked back. So now we are looking at other opportunities. Some of them right now might not be good enough for the first team on a regular basis, but they have outgrown the under-20s.
“We are looking how we can improve the structure and pathway so it is better for the young players, so when they do get the chance, that they are better equipped and keep their place.
“I think there is a lack of consistency in terms of the quality of teams in the reserve league. One week you can be in a really tough game, but the next game you can be winning 6-0 or 7-0. One week you are playing on a quality pitch, but the next you are basically playing on a public park. It is about trying to get consistency.”
A positive step from the club
This may, at the end of the day, be a good decision from the club. Getting them involved in matches on a more frequent basis would be ideal. Towards the end of the season, the young Hoops have been playing reserve matches almost weekly, but that hasn’t been the case all season.
Playing only 17 league games, plus Reserve Cup and Glasgow Cup fixtures, isn’t ideal for youngsters. It’s important to remember that this is the last step until the first-team, they have to be tested ruthlessly.
The likes of Mikey Johnston and Ewan Henderson have proven themselves to be too good for under-20 football in Scotland. Yet, they still haven’t been able to force their way into the Celtic first-team permanently.
Competitions such as the UEFA Youth League have helped our youngsters play in more high-profile games in recent years. Celtic, however, have to find more avenues to keep the players tested on a more regular basis.
Leaving the reserve league may just give us an opportunity to do that.
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