The Lowland League like much of Scottish football has had a tumultuous couple of seasons due to Covid but is now set for an interesting 2021-22. There will be 18 teams this year including B teams from both Celtic & Rangers which will add interest.
Kelty Hearts, last season’s champions are now a Scottish League club and although Brechin City who they beat have entered the Highland League there are a couple of recently relegated clubs in the division.
Berwick Rangers will be looking to return to League Two however, as East Stirling can attest it’s not that easy. The only other change of note is that BSG Glasgow is now Broomhill FC, pretty much the same team in all but name.
The extended pyramid scheme will be in place this year and the bottom team will potentially enter it. This means that winners of the East of Scotland Football League, the South of Scotland Football League, and the West of Scotland Football League are all eligible. Although this is subject to the respective champions meeting certain criteria.
It is also worth noting that Celtic nor Rangers B teams are eligible for promotion or relegation, so 3rd place could make the playoffs.
The Contenders
The consequence of adding both Celtic & Rangers into the division is huge and it is hard to make a case for them not finishing 1st & 2nd. The two recently relegated teams should figure in the race for the playoff place. The usual suspects of Bonnyrigg Rose, The Spartans and possibly the Civil Service Strollers make up our expected chasing pack.
Dalbeattie Star has added a couple of young players from Annan Athletic who have potential at this level. Further, they have a couple of Stranraer fringe players so the squad looks better. That might keep them out of trouble and they could be a surprise team this season.
Who will Struggle
Vale of Leithen are perennial strugglers and there is nothing to indicate they will do anything else this season. It is also possible that Bo’ness United who is a fairly new addition to this league could struggle and with all the upheaval the University teams may need the season to adjust.
Anyway here is our best guess at how the table might look by season’s end.
Lowland League 2021-22 Final Table Prediction
- Rangers B
- Celtic B
- Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic
- Berwick Rangers
- The Spartans
- East Stirlingshire
- Civil Service Strollers
- Dalbeattie Star
- Broomhill FC
- East Kilbride
- Gala Fairydean Rovers
- Cumbernauld Colts
- Caledonian Braves
- University of Stirling
- Gretna 2008
- Edinburgh University
- Bo’ness United
- Vale of Leithen
Promotion Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic
So there we have it, our predictions for the 2021-22 Lowland League Title. Should be an exciting race for the playoffs even if the title is decided early. While you are here why not check out our recent Scottish Football posts or indulge in some of our sports quizzes?
jordonc ✅