Source: Team_Talk
Smith: Reserve teams a good idea
SFL chief executive David Longmuir confirmed on Monday he had held informal discussions with Celtic counterpart Peter Lawwell over the possibility of a Parkhead B team joining the lower leagues.[LNB]The SFA are not involved in any discussions but Smith has backed the idea.[LNB]Smith said: "It's down to the league to decide on that but I have been talking about this for years and I have always said it's a good idea.[LNB]"If Rangers or Celtic could play in the lower leagues it might improve the crowds.[LNB]"It would probably be good for them for the development of their players but certainly the SFL clubs could benefit.[LNB]"The only problem with it is there could actually be restrictions in terms of SFL clubs being able to gain promotion if Rangers or Celtic reserves were allowed to do that.[LNB]"That would probably be the only difficult thing in terms of how to come up with a solution. But I've always felt it would be a good idea."[LNB]The tentative plan emerged amid wider debate over the structure of the Scottish leagues.[LNB]An independent arbitration panel commissioned by the SFA last week backed plans to form a second tier of the Scottish Premier League following opposition from the SFL.[LNB]The SFA are not directly involved in negotiations over an SPL2 but they would have to approve its formation.[LNB]And Smith hopes any decision will be delayed until he completes his ongoing study into a pyramid structure, which could see teams relegated and promoted from the SFL.[LNB]"It possibly will - there are pyramid discussions coming up at the beginning of next month," Smith said.[LNB]"So the SPL discussions probably won't have taken place or agreed before then anyway.[LNB]"There is no doubt we need to have a look at the pyramid structure before we have any agreement about what is happening between the two leagues."[LNB]Smith added: "We're not involved in this stage at all. We're staying well out of it until such times as they do sit down.[LNB]"It's down to the SPL and SFL to have a discussion on it now.[LNB]"If there are going to be any changes, they first and foremost have to agree between themselves.[LNB]"Only then do they come to us - it has to go through our statutes to see whether it is acceptable or not. At the moment it's totally down to the two leagues."[LNB]Meanwhile, Longmuir insists there is no inevitability surrounding the extension of the SPL, which was first mooted more than two years ago.[LNB]Longmuir said: "People seem to think that SPL2 is certain to happen but that is a lot of nonsense.[LNB]"It was only a legal ruling and the debate has still to take place.[LNB]"The SFL is in a better position now than when I took over."[LNB][LNB]
