Celtic’s Lowland League experiment has run its course, and Celtic must pull the side from the Lowland League.
Celtic B currently sit second, with East Kilbride winning the league on Wednesday night.
It’s been a productive campaign on the pitch, with the young Hoops side losing just four matches across the season. Their form in the UEFA Youth League also turned a few heads, suggesting there’s real talent developing within the club’s academy setup.
However, despite the results, serious questions remain about the overall benefit of the Lowland League setup for Celtic’s next generation. The competition, made up of part-time teams and senior players, provides a physical challenge—but it’s not necessarily the environment where the club’s more technically gifted players will truly thrive or develop in line with Celtic’s long-term needs.
It’s not just about winning games at that level. The point of a B team is to bridge the gap between youth football and the first team. And while Celtic B have done well in terms of results, the pathway into Brendan Rodgers’ side remains limited. That issue is increasingly difficult to ignore.
And Celtic’s best prospects are getting game time at a higher level, out on loan at Championship and League 1 clubs or over in Austria.
The club now needs to look at viable alternatives. A proper B team league, similar to England’s Premier League 2, would allow Celtic’s young players to test themselves against similar high-potential talent, in games more focused on development than brute physicality.
It’s time for Celtic to take the next step in shaping a system that truly benefits their future stars.
The Lowland League stint has served its purpose, but if the club is serious about producing first-team-ready players, a more suitable structure is needed.
