MacPherson wants the under-21 loan rule to be changed

Saint Mirren manager Gus MacPherson has called for the 'strange' under-21 rules to be changed after a loan deal to sign Rangers' Steven Smith was halted.

MacPherson was made aware of the Scottish Premier League rule that a club can only take one player over 21 on loan at a time.

The club already have Scott Cuthbert on loan from Celtic, so another similar loan deal would be against SPL rules.

"The deal is dead and it is frustrating," said MacPherson.

Saints were hoping to have the 23-year-old Rangers full-back in the squad for Saturday's SPL match against Kilmarnock.

However, the Celtic defender qualifies as an under-21 player for the rule which dictates that three players under the age of 21, not including a second goalkeeper, have to be included in the full matchday squad of 18.

The issue has left MacPherson searching for a replacement for Franco Miranda, before the transfers window closes on Monday, as the player is set to undergo an operation on his knee .

"We agreed a deal with Rangers for Steve Smith, we spoke to the player and he was delighted to come," said MacPherson.

"We were double-checking the rules on loan deals when we found out.

"There must be a reason for the rule being put in place but it seems strange.

"You can't have conflicting rules regarding under-21 players.

"Scott Cuthbert was 21 when he came to us yet he qualifies to play as an under-21 week-in, week-out in the SPL.

"But according to the rule for loan deals, he is over 21 and we are only allowed one per season from this country.

"We have highlighted an error in the rules, which hopefully will be looked at with common sense.

"The SPL have explained to the club but it is a conflicting rule and I think it will be changed.

"We have one or two players that we have enquired about but we are running out of time."

An SPL spokesman confirmed the rule: "The only time the rule could be relaxed would be in an emergency, such as in the need to sign a goalkeeper.

"So, St Mirren would have to sign the player, or the other loan player, on a permanent deal.

"Otherwise, it would not be fair to other teams such as Inverness and Falkirk."

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