The Scottish FA board have approved a mid-season rule change in the remaining rounds of the Scottish Cup, allowing clubs to make five substitutions during a normal 90 minutes of action.
The previous limit was three.
A statement released this afternoon said: “The Scottish FA Board have approved the temporary amendment of Cup Competition Rules relating to the number of substitutes permitted to be made by clubs during Scottish Cup matches for the remainder of the 2021-22 competition.
“Starting from the Fifth Round of the 2021/22 competition, teams are now permitted to name up to 11 players on the bench, an increase on the nine previously allowed. Five of those 11 players may be used as substitutes during the match, aligning the Scottish Cup Rules with the current regulations applicable for all SPFL matches.”
One additional substitute can be made during any period of extra time. Meanwhile, two concussion substitutes may be used regardless of the number of substitutes already used.
Teams are further permitted two substitutes if the opposing team make concussion substitutions of their own, in line with IFAB regulations.
This is good news for Celtic who pushed for similar changes in the Scottish Premiership prior to the winter break.
Ange Postecoglou has gone on the record with his thoughts that it’s a good idea as the number of matches in a calendar year goes up and up.
Celtic, more than most teams in Scotland, have the squad depth to make significant changes to the team in a match.
Most importantly, it gives the Bhoys boss the chance to rest more players if a game is going well and better fine-tune his squad in the midst of desperately busy schedules.
Celtic play Raith Rovers in the 5th Round of the competition on February 13th.
In other news, “Gio will be sitting in a dark room”; Neil Lennon revels in Celtic win, declares interest in English job.
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