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FOOTBALL

STRACHAN LEADS CALL FOR RULE CHANGE

Gordon Strachan

Wednesday October 29,2008

By Iain Macfarlane

GORDON STRACHAN last night claimed EVERY top flight boss backs his view that the SPL’s Under-21 rule must be scrapped.

The Celtic manager believes the rule which dictates two players under the age of 21 must be included in an 18-man squad is bad for the game.

Paul Caddis and Darren O’Dea are just two of the talented kids to have suffered at Parkhead from a rule designed to give risng stars more given top-team experience.

In practice though, Strachan argues they learn nothing being stuck on the bench when they should be farmed out to play every week.

Earlier this month all 12 SPL bosses met at a manager’s forum and the view on the rule was unanimous. Now Strachan wants action.

He said: “It would be a smashing idea for us to let Paul go on loan to the likes of Gary McAllister at Leeds or to other friends in England.

“But we can’t let him go as we have to have under 21s on the bench.

“It was mentioned recently by all the coaches – we mention it every year.

“We’d all like to scrap the Under 21 rule – if you need them or they are good enough then you can still play them.

“We have guys who could be out learning their trade, but can’t.

“You think back to the likes of David Beckham who learned going out from Manchester United to Preston.

“A lot of guys who have done that. Unfortunately we have to keep them and they don’t get a game even though they are on the bench.”

Strachan’s side face Killie in the Co-Operative Cup quarter-final tonight with Stephen McManus missing through a hamstring strain.