Rutherglen Glencairn boss target Lowland League spot with revamp on way
The Glens are a SFA licensed club and could be fast tracked to the fifth tier next term amid a shake up to the pyramid
Rutherglen Glencairn co-boss Joe Pryce has targeted one of the Lowland League West promotion spots from this season's West of Scotland Premier Division.
Pryce is building a squad able to compete in the top flight, with nine places up for grabs in the revamped West Division of the Lowland League in season 2026/27.
The Lowland League will be split into East and West Divisions, with 16 teams in each, running alongside the Highland League.
As an SFA Licenced club, Glencairn are virtually guaranteed a place in the new set-up, but Pryce wants to make sure.
He said: 'It looks like there will be at least eight teams from the division moving into a new league, eight licenced clubs, and we're obviously one of them.
'There will be other clubs who are shooting for their licence this year. If you want to move into this next division, your goal is to finish in the top eight.
'I know there are some clubs who don't have a licence and might struggle to get one, because we know a prohibiting factor is finance, you need floodlights and things like that.
'But from our point of view, we've just got to aim to finish as high up in that division as we can, and we're certainly going to give it a right good go.'
Pryce says his side will stick to what made they successful in their promotion-winning campaign last season and expects his side to be a force in the Premier Division.
He added: 'Teams who are up against us will know they've been in a game, and you're going to have to play well if you want to beat us, that's for sure. We want to go up and play, we're not just going up there to make up the numbers.
'We can't just sit 10 men behind the ball and kick the way we're facing, we'll play the way we want them to play, and that footballers want to play.'
Lowland clubs voted for reconstruction earlier this month, determining that relegation from the Lowland League won't take place this coming season.
However, promotion will be opened up, with champions from each of the four tier-six leagues – West of Scotland Premier Division, South of Scotland, East of Scotland Premier, East Region Midlands League – promoted into their respective division, if they meet Lowland League entry criteria.
This is Scottish FA Licence at bronze level, and meeting Financial Fair Play rules.
At the moment, the West Division would be made up of Albion Rovers, Caledonian Braves, Clydebank, Cumbernauld Colts, Gretna 2008, two clubs from the South of Scotland League and nine from West of Scotland, plus Celtic 'B' as a 17th guest club.
The West of Scotland and South of Scotland Leagues would be feeders for the Lowland West Division, while the East of Scotland Premier and Midlands Leagues would feed the East Division.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
SPFL fixtures: Hamilton Accies handed Broadwood opener as Airdrie and East Kilbride also facing home starts
The Lanarkshire sides have learned their fixtures for the campaign Four of the five Lanarkshire sides in the SPFL will kick-off the new season at home after the fixtures for the new season were announced this morning. Motherwell start with a blockbuster clash at Fir Park against Rangers on Saturday, August 2 - kick-off 5.30pm on Sky Sports - which will see new boss Jens Berthel Askou lock horns with his old Norwich City team-mate and new Gers gaffer Russell Martin. Championship side Airdrieonians will welcome Ross County, who were relegated from the Premiership last season, to New Broomfield in a regular 3pm kick-off, while League One Hamilton Accies will play at their new home on the opening day. They play host to Montrose at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld. Meanwhile, Lowland League champions and newly promoted East Kilbride will kick-off life in the SPFL by welcoming Spartans to K-Park for their League Two opener and Clyde are the only local side to be on the road, with a trip to Dumbarton first up for them in League Two. Here are thE first six fixtures for the Lanarkshire sides in thE SPFL. Motherwell's first six: August 2 - Rangers (H) August 9 - St Mirren (A) August 23 - Hearts (A) August 30 - Kilmarnock (H) September 13 - Dundee (A) September 27 - Aberdeen (H) Airdrieonians' first six: August 2 - Ross County (H) August 9 - Dunfermline (A) August 23 - Queen's Park (H) August 30 - Arbroath (A) September 6 - St Johnstone (H) September 13 - Partick Thistle (A) Hamilton Accies' first six: August 2 - Montrose (H) August 9 - Queen of the South (A) August 16 - East Fife (H) August 23 - Alloa (A) August 30 - Cover Rangers (H) September 13 - Peterhead (A) August 2 - Dumbarton (A) August 9 - Forfar (H) August 16 - Spartans (H) August 23 - Stranraer (A) August 30 - Elgin (H) September 13 - Annan (A) East Kilbride's first six: August 2 - Spartans (H) August 9 - Elgin City (A) August 16 - Stranrar (H) August 23 - Stirling (A) August 30 - Forfar (H) September 13 - Edinburgh City (A) A full list of the SPFL fixtures for the season ahead can be found on the SPFL website.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
When the first Hibs vs Hearts clash is as 2025/26 Premiership fixtures are released
Edinburgh's big two will lock horns at least three times in the league Hibs finished best of the rest last season. Now it's up to Derek McInnes to make Hearts Scotland's third force again. The Jambos had a campaign to forget as Steven Naismith and Neil Critchley both lost their jobs - with Liam Fox steadying the ship for the final few games. Across the city, the Hibees' faith in David Gray was rewarded as the club legend recovered from a nightmare start to lead the club from bottom to third - overseeing a remarkable 17-game unbeaten run that will live long in the memory of supporters. There's no question Hibs head into 2025/26 with the bragging rights as the Europa League hopefuls look to continue their rise under Gray. And Edinburgh's big two will lock horns in the first blockbuster battle of the season at Tynecastle on Saturday, October 4. Hearts will then make the trip to Easter Road for a festive cracker on Saturday, December 27 before another clash under the lights of Gorgie on Wednesday, February 11. Dates and kick-off times are subject to change due to TV selection. As Hearts missed out on the top six, Scottish football was robbed of a fourth Edinburgh derby last term. All going well this year, the duo could meet a fourth time in the league depending on the final positions in the league standings after Matchday 33. Edinburgh Derby dates in full Hearts vs Hibs - 04/10/2025 Hibs vs Hearts - 27/12/2025 Hearts vs Hibs - 11/02/2026 Post-split dates Matchday 33 - 25/04/2026 Matchday 34 - 02/05/2026 Matchday 35 - 09/05/2026 Matchday 36 - 13/05/2026 Matchday 37 - 16/05/2026 Matchday 38 - 17/05/2026 Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Rangers ready to 'receive offer', Celtic finalising deal, ex-Hibs man taken on trial
The latest Scottish football transfer news on Friday morning involving Rangers, Celtic, Liverpool and Ross County. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Here are the latest transfer rumours surrounding Scottish football on Friday morning, including Rangers, Celtic, Liverpool and more. Ross County capture ex-Sunderland man Ross County have confirmed the signing of former Sunderland defender Ben Crompton on a two-year-contract as boss Don Cowie continues to revamp his Staggies squad following their relegation to the Scottish Championship. The 21-year-defender was released by the Stadium of Light outfit at the end of last season having been unable to break into their first team squad, but featured regularly for Tamworth in the National League after joining them on loan in the second-half of last season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was particularly impressive in their FA Cup third round tie against Tottenham Hotspur, where he came up against Timo Werner and Spurs captain Son Heung-min, with the fifth tier side taking them all the way to extra-time. 'We are really happy Ben has chosen to join us,' said Staggies boss Cowie. 'He had a really productive loan spell with Tamworth last season, and he offers a strong ability on the ball as well as an imposing physical presence.' Ex-Sunderland defender Ben Crompton has moved to Scotland. Liverpool 'make Robertson decision' Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is 'ready to allow' Scotland captain Andy Robertson to leave Anfield this summer as they edge closer to the megabucks signing of Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez. The 31-year-old has interest from Atletico Madrid, with his place in the Reds starting XI now under serious threat amid the pending arrival of Hungarian international Kerkez. Should the Cherries defender arrive in the coming days, it will leave Liverpool with three left-backs on their books vying for one spot, with fellow full-back Kostas Tsimikas also said to be courting interest from Leeds United. However, according to a new report, Slot is 'prepared to cash in' on Robertson, with the ex-Dundee United man said to favour a move to La Liga rather than remain in the English Premier League. Liverpool defender Andy Robertson could leave Anfield this summer. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images Celtic man in 'lowest moment' Forgotten Celtic forward Luis Palma admits being taken off at half-time during Honduras' 6-0 defeat to Canada is one of his lowest moments in football. The 25-year-old is expected to leave Celtic Park this summer having fallen down the pecking order at the club. He spent the second-half of last season on loan in the Greek Super League with Olympiacos, but will not return to Erythrolefki after they opted against taking up the option to make his deal permanent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Despite being out of favour at club level, he was handed a start for his international side as they faced Canada in the CONCACAF Gold Cup match on Wednesday, but was hauled off at half-time with his side 3-0 down. "It's one of my lowest moments in my career,' said Palma in the aftermath of the defeat. We have to accept we are going through a very difficult time at the moment. But we all know that was nowhere near acceptable. Now we have to use this as a learning experience for the rest of the tournament. The whole team is devastated by this setback. Luis Palma has an uncertain future at Celtic. | AFP via Getty Images Dundee mull over deal for ex-Hibs man Dundee head coach Steven Pressley is mulling over a former Hibs and St Mirren midfielder Kyle Magennis after taking the 26-year-old on trial. The former Scotland Under-21 international is a free agent after being released by Kilmarnock last month following an injury-plagued couple of years at Rugby Park, but has been offered a chance to prove himself after being offered a trail with the Den's Park side, who returned to pre-season training this week. New boss Pressley, who replaced Tony Docherty earlier this month, will also run the rule over ex-Burnley academy player Tommy McDermott, who was released from Turf Moor last month. Both players have previously worked alongside technical manager David Longwell. Meanwhile, the club have confirmed the departures of Joe Shaughnessy, Antonio Portales, Mo Sylla and Scott Fraser following the expiration of their contracts. Kyle Magennis is on trial at Dundee following his release from Kilmarnock. | SNS Group Rangers 'set for transfer offer' Rangers are set to receive a 'formal' offer for star striker Hamza Igamane this month, as interest in the Moroccan international heats up. The 22-year-old has interest from English Premier League sides Everton and West Ham United, though it has been reported that the Ibrox hierarchy would request a 'huge price' should any side want to make an offer for his services. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, according to a new report, West Ham are now in a position to launch an official bid for the forward. 'West Ham are about make a formal move for Igamane,' ex-scout Mick Brown told Football Insider. They've had scouts up there watching him and he's one of the names on their radar. But I'm told they're not convinced he's ready to make the step up to the Premier League. He's looked impressive for Rangers at times, but he's playing in a side which finished 17 points short of Celtic, so it's a difficult one to judge.' Rangers striker Hamza Igamane is in demand this summer. | SNS Group Celtic 'edge closer' to finalising move Celtic look set to complete their second signing of the summer, after Fulham youngster Callum Osmand was spotted at their Lennoxtown training ground on Thursday, as per a report from the Herald. Brendan Rodgers has already completed the Bosman free transfer signing of former hero Kieran Tierney, and has had a bid of £1.7million accepted for Swedish international Benjamin Nygren by FC Nordsjælland, as he looks to build a squad capable of competing both domestically and in the Champions League next season.
