EAST Kilbride manager Stevie Aitken has welcomed the 'exciting' proposals that could see Old Firm Colt teams join the Lowland League from next season.
The Lowland League board confirmed on Wednesday evening that positive discussions had been held with Rangers and Celtic over plans that would see them field youth sides for one campaign.
East Kilbride finished runners-up to Kelty Hearts this term and Barry Ferguson's side are now just 90 minutes away from earning a play-off shot that could see them promoted to League Two next season.
The implications of the Colt proposal on the pyramid structure is just one aspect that will need to be agreed but Aitken reckons the blueprints will get the go-ahead from members in the coming weeks.
"We still have to go through it all and see how it will affect the club and the league because it's early days on that," Aitken told Lanarkshire Live.
"But I think it will be exciting. To bring the two biggest clubs in the country in... you'd get a boost from them financially, it would put a lot more focus on the division - which I think a lot of this about because people focus more on other divisions than ours at the moment.
"We just have to wait and see how it is going to go. I think there's a lot of things to be asked before it goes to a vote on it.
"In terms of what we are trying to do at East Kilbride, it won't affect that. We still want to try and push ahead.
𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧
— Scottish Lowland League 🏴 (@OfficialSLFL) May 5, 2021
Discussions to invite Rangers and Celtic ‘B’ teams on a one season basis is at an early stage.
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"Putting another two teams in there will bring in a lot of good players, everybody knows that, and it makes it a bit tougher.
"We've still to find out what's happening in the play-offs, if it is going to be Kelty Hearts going up [to League Two] or if they will still be in the Lowland League next season.
"I think we'll have to see the guts of the meeting, but it certainly can be exciting and anybody looking at it from the outside could say they'd be a great addition to the division.
"My gut feeling is it will get approved, I think that will happen.
"I could be wrong, but I feel them coming into the division, a lot of clubs will enjoy that.
"A lot of clubs might not see themselves getting to League Two, but now would have the opportunity to play against good young players from Rangers and Celtic, so that could be an attraction. It will be interesting to see how things go forward."
The Colt team plan has been on and off the table several times in recent years and the Old Firm remain determined to see their Academy kids compete within the SPFL structure to aid their development.
Aitken has previously supported the idea of B sides outwith the top flight and reckons there will be a benefit for the Lowland League if the proposal is approved.
"My feelings are still the same," Aitken said. "I think Scottish football has got to move forward, you've got to keep changing.
"I've said before that if Rangers and Celtic [Colts] were in the SPFL, it would be a great opportunity to highlight those lower divisions and the players that are in those divisions, move them forward and give opportunities to players and clubs.
"If it is going to be the Lowland League [they enter] now, then I think it will do exactly the same for us.
"More people will look at Lowland League football and it will make it interesting for all clubs involved."
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