The significant change to substitutions which could impact Scottish football

Managers could be allowed to make five subs next season. Picture: SNS

Scottish clubs could be allowed to make up to five substitutions per match during the 2020/21 campaign.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) are set to extend the current temporary ruling, which is being used in the Premier League, to cover the whole of next season, according to The Athletic.

Leagues, which resumed their 2019/20 term, were allowed to incorporate the measure until the end of the campaign, but it is set to be extended.

The change will be implemented at the discretion of each league. This could lead to yet another vote by the SPFL to discover if clubs are keen for the rule to come into play.

The introduction of five subs would benefit those clubs with a deeper squad, especially Celtic and Rangers who are likely to have more options to choose from when it comes to trying to influence games off the bench.

In the Premier League, managers are able to name nine substitutes instead of the usual seven.

Additionally, it could also lead to more game time for youngsters, especially with doubts over reserve and youth team football in the coming months.

Managers could give players valuable minutes and experience of first-team football.

There will also likely be concerns over player fitness, even more so in Scotland, after such a long break, while top-flight clubs are yet to play any pre-season games with just over three weeks left until the Scottish Premiership is scheduled to begin.

Since the resumption of the Premier League with the new ruling, there have only been three in-game windows in which to make a sub to prevent the disruption of a game and any possible time-wasting attempts.