02 Apr 2026 00:46:07
Troops, My lad played in ever age level for his school's.
He ate and slept football. Trainers, football boots and footballs and of course supported Rangers.
I spoke to him a lot about if he makes it to Scottish club level to not join Rangers and God forbid ?Celtic, but to join Dumbarton, St Mirren, Partick Th or another smaller club.
I feel a lot of kids are wasted due to joining the big two, but understand the buzz from it.
02 Apr 2026 07:39:06
Horse, I agree and if I had kids or relatives would tell them to steer well clear. If they are good enough they will be seen at that lower level; I think that is the key because they are never seen again at the OF. Sad but reality at moment until there are changes made by the clubs.
02 Apr 2026 08:02:29
I'd imagine. Probably best, from the kids' point of view, trying to play for us up to maybe 16s or 18s for the better facilities, etc., but trying not to have the expectations to stay beyond that. If that makes sense. It's not like these clubs' academies are producing many stars either.
But certainly, if they're older than that, I wouldn't be recommending they join us now. Feel the same seeing us sign academy kids from down south. We've brought up a lot of highly rated 17-20 Yr olds in the last few years, just for them to stop developing.
02 Apr 2026 08:57:55
Kaiser, there is a reason we get them. Not good, plain and simple.
Clubs don't release players who r the top level.
We hope we get one who kicks on. Where r Weston Lovelace Steven's Coombes et al now?
02 Apr 2026 09:34:50
If you're good enough, then you're good enough. But potentially a better pathway would be via Hibs, Aberdeen, United etc.
02 Apr 2026 09:34:54
Exactly, John. Was trying to think of some of their names. Did we even make any money back on any of those lads? It's all a bit hit and hope, but they don't get a chance same as our own kids, so has been a bit of a waste of time and money from compensation paid too.
Comes down again to the development problem regularly discussed. Until Scottish structure is fixed there seems little point signing 17-20yr olds.
02 Apr 2026 11:56:46
Mwell always a good club for bringing through youngsters.
02 Apr 2026 11:56:50
Would give the same advice, horse.
02 Apr 2026 12:41:58
Sounds good, but not sure that nowadays it's a valid argument. You don't see many young players stepping up from the likes of Dumbarton, Partick Thistle and the lower leagues in general, and most of the other Premiership clubs don't give youngsters a chance either.
You mention St Mirren. How many young homebred players are in their team currently? Not many, if any. They are mostly signing non Scots and loanees from England.
02 Apr 2026 12:57:27
Wslgers4ever, my lad is now in his thirties mate.
02 Apr 2026 14:08:17
I don't really agree with that. Rangers and Celtic will have the better facilities and better coaches and a higher standard needed to succeed. Less likely to make it to first team at Rangers, but most SPL and lower league teams are filled with our ex academy players that didn't make it at us.
02 Apr 2026 14:27:24
Partick used to have a really gd pro-youth set up back in the day, as did Livi, if I mind right.
02 Apr 2026 16:06:02
Huey, Rangers academy certainly don't have better coaches than Aberdeen, United or Hearts.