Hearts 'explore' Rangers and Celtic B team pathway to the Lowland League following guest club extension

Hearts are reportedly looking to follow Celtic and Rangers and apply to introduce a B team to the Lowland League.

The Glasgow reserve sides have spent this season taking on clubs in tier five of the pyramid in what was billed a pilot scheme to develop young Scottish players and potentially benefit the national team.

Lowland League voted on Monday for participation to continue for the 2022-23 term as the Premiership giants' status as "guest clubs" was rubber stamped for another year.

Rangers and Celtic paid out a £25,000 entry fee last year to seal guarantee competitive action for their youngsters.

The TImes now claim Hearts are "considering applying" to field a Colts team in the fifth tier next season.

The report adds that it is "viewed as a worthwhile alternative" for the Jambos to "give game time to fringe players in the absence of a reserve league."

Following the green light for the reserve sides to continue in the division, a Lowland League statement read: "A comfortable majority of 11-4 indicated a preference for their involvement, having taken two weeks to weigh up a presentation on the topic.

"While conscious it is, understandably, a divisive and emotive subject, the overriding feeling is their presence has been of benefit in a commercial sense while there are promising early indications of young, emerging Scottish talents benefiting from early exposure to senior football in a competitive environment."