Celtic Rangers and Hearts given national team demand after Lowland League acceptance

Celtic, Hearts and Rangers will compete in the Lowland League next season - but they must field at least seven players eligible for Scotland's national team.

Both Glasgow sides competed in Scotland's fifth tier alongside Caledonian Braves, Cumbernauld Colts and East Kilbride during the 2021/22 season and all three clubs have shown support for the move.

But it's been met with fierce criticism and it was reported that plans for their inclusion again - along with the Jambos - was to be rejected ahead of next term in line with the one-season only pilot agreement.

The trio will fight it out at Lowland League level next season after an ultimatum that it was all three or nothing was put forward. Entry fees will rise from £25,000 to £40,000.

League bodies have agreed to participate in the SFA's pyramid working group discussions aimed at 'providing a longer-term solution to optimise the structure and aid the transition of talented players between the ages of 17 and 21.'

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: "The Scottish FA supports the principle of elite player development and particularly providing opportunities for talented players in the key transition years from 17 to 21.

“The Scottish FA will oversee a discussion in parallel to propose and implement a long-term plan with the objectives of optimising the pyramid, which has been a resounding success in Scottish football, harnessing the player pathway and accelerating the development of the country’s most talented young players through the national youth teams to the full international stage.”

Thomas Brown, Lowland League chairman, reckons it's a good move: "We were always open to the inclusion of guest clubs for a further season given the successful player