Rangers, Celtic and Hearts 'B' teams' Lowland League entry granted in u-turn
dailyrecord.co.ukRangers, Celtic and Hearts will play in next season's Lowland League after member clubs u-turned on their inclusion.The Premiership clubs will each pay £40,000 for the privilege of playing in Scottish football's fifth tier.A vote by member clubs had initially rebuffed the idea of all three joining as 'guest' clubs, but when told it was all or nothing, they agreed to cast their vote again.The 16 Lowland League clubs met on Monday evening, having had assurances from the Scottish FA over several matters, such as none of the clubs being able to enter the promotion play-offs, should they win the title.Rules have been tightened on fixture scheduling and player eligibility, and entry fees have gone up from £25,000 to £40,000 per club.Rangers and Celtic entered 'B' teams in the league last season, with both finishing on 73 points and goal-difference putting the Ibrox kids into second place.Their inclusion was initially for one season only, but clubs then voted for that to continue, only for Hearts to also apply.Hearts boss Robbie Neilson backs his club's inclusion and said earlier this season: "I support a platform for the young players to go and play."We have not had a reserve league for a number of years and it has really hindered the development of these players."We have had to find loan deals to put them out, but we have no control over what happens there - how they play, how they train, the environment they are in."If we can get that [Lowland League] I would be delighted.
I'd be all for it."Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport onTwitter via@LanLiveSport, like us onFacebookor find us onInstagramfor the latest sports news, pictures and video.
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