Football: Scots to keep faith in youth
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Your support makes all the difference.IAN BLAIR, the Scottish Premier League secretary, yesterday admitted the new rules regarding the use of Under-21 players may be reformed - but urged clubs to give the promotion of youth its chance.
The new set-up obliges every top-flight club to have two Under-21 players on the bench for Premier League fixtures, regardless of how many are on the pitch, while reserve football has been modified through a new league allowing just three over-age players.
Blair feels the experiment is proving successful but, while stressing that most feedback has been positive, he concedes that several issues have emerged during the season. He said: "We are looking closely at the impact of these new rules, but it should be remembered that clubs are still in transition, as last season they were all geared up for reserve football. We are not fixed with the current rules and have a Youth Working Group who are likely to report early next year with suggestions as to how the regulations can be adapted for the better."
Aberdeen's manager, Alex Miller, has advocated three Under-21 players being made part of a 16-man squad rather than two on the bench, as he believes it hampers teams who do provide youth opportunities. He has pointed to how, when a coach has a 20-year-old and a 30-year-old of similar ability in the same position, the younger man will be benched because the senior pro cannot be.
Blair, however, is sceptical of that argument. He said: "We have heard this point from one or two others, not just Alex, but the counter-argument from those who wish to see more youth players is that, if someone is good enough, they will be played.
Blair is keen to discourage the trend for ageing foreign players of doubtful pedigree arriving in Scotland and depriving home-qualified youngsters of a place on the fringes. He explained: "It will always be an easy option for a manager to find some journeyman who does not really benefit the quality of football, they just happen to be known quantities.
"I know larger clubs have squads with more senior players, but these guys could leave and find first-team football at other clubs. They are making a decision to stay because the money is right for them, say at the Old Firm.
"Clearly there is a balance to be drawn because I can understand Rangers and Celtic wanting strength in depth, but we are about producing quality for Scotland's international future."
Dunfermline's manager, Bert Paton, has bemoaned the restrictions in the Under-21 league denying his efforts to help first-team players back to fitness through match practice. But Blair said: "You have to draw the line somewhere and 21 is the internationally recognised cut-off point. There is Under-23 football played but, with the odd exception, you know if you have made it as a player by 21.
"There might be a problem in certain instances, but we feel three plus the keeper being over-age in the Under-21 league is enough because for us the focus has to be on building youth."
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