Kris Commons endorses Celtic and Rangers league reconstruction as B team doubters skewered in elite club breakdown

Former Celtic star Kris Commons reckons league reconstruction is vital for the progress of Scottish football's top talent.

And he defended controversial revamp plans - pointing to a study that showed that the top 10 clubs who produced talent for their countries national teams at the World Cup all had B teams. The proposal that is currently on the table would see Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and Aberdeen Colt sides introduced to a new look Scottish Conference at the fifth tier of the pyramid.

Alongside the Scottish Premiership B teams some Highland and Lowland Leagues would be included, and the plans could be fast-tracked to be introduced next season. Sceptics have pointed to the West of Scotland, South of Scotland, and East of Scotland divisions that sit at tier six that would be bypassed by the revamped set-up. However, Commons insists that the proposal is the best move to progress young talent for the Scottish national team.

Writing for the Daily Mail, Commons said: "When young players are sent out to face men, it takes their game to another level. That's why Celtic and Rangers have been fielding B teams in the Lowland League as guests since 2021. That arrangement is now in doubt and it makes sense that they want a permanent pathway for players aged between 17 and 21 to progress.

"You simply can't buy that kind of experience. It propels a player's game to greater heights because they need to learn how to think and how to move that bit quicker to avoid injury. They become physically and mentally tougher in the process.

"And then, on top of all that, their ability as a footballer will shine through. Look at some of the players who have learned their trade down the various levels of the game. When I first joined Celtic, the