27 May 2026 06:26:59
Just posting as not sure this is public knowledge, Ashton Scally will be a part of the first team squad next season ?, along with Lawson
Not sure if that will be first half season with the first team then out on loan for the second half or for the full season
But the kids being put on an expedited pathway with the hope of becoming our first choice left back in the next few seasons, same with Lawson in his position
Does that mean we won't bring in another LB, I'm not sure, but he will be in the squad
Rohl the key person in wanting them in the first team, the first team squad slightly reduced in size from last season
25-26 total players
27 May 2026 07:50:41
Would imagine training with the first team. I would highly doubt we're pinning our hopes on him as back up. These boys need experience and some game time when comfortably winning, but like I say, I doubt he will be back up to Rommens.
27 May 2026 08:05:37
Scally has just turned 16 so that would be a massive expectation on the kid to be back up to Roomens straight away. I think more likely he is sent on a development loan and kept for the European Youth League games.
That said, if he is genuinely good enough now then maybe we don't spend 3 million on a Penrice and use that elsewhere.
Lawson has the build to be a back up now imo, albeit we would need a starting RM ahead of him to be signed. Ideally Lawson and Curtis get plenty game time next season.
27 May 2026 08:20:53
For me, that's a massive mistake, and way too much pressure to be putting on a kid still finding his way. Personally, I think that he will be sent on loan a few times to allow him to develop in the men's game.
I have no doubt the lad has massive potential just now, but that needs development to become our 1st choice. For me, we bring in Penrice and allow Scally that 2 or 3 years to develop.
27 May 2026 08:28:32
I think the plan would be to have 2 for each position plus an experienced GK to help youth and an extra CB and ST which would be a squad size of 25/26.
From there, 3rd choice for a lot of positions will be utilising our promising youngsters.
Remember, we can also use development loans where they can play for us and loan team at any time.
27 May 2026 08:37:35
Very few 16 year olds are developed physically, and emotionally, enough to play first regular team football.
27 May 2026 08:43:49
Great bit of business getting Shankland. Can we please fix defence or it is a waste of time.
27 May 2026 09:48:58
Rooney - Everton was 16 - Max Dowman - Arsenal was 15 - Ethan Nwaneri also Arsenal 15. ??
27 May 2026 10:05:48
My thoughts would be that Scally, Glasgow, Lawson McAllion, Owen, etc. would be part of first team squad in terms of preseason, give them the training camp and preseason friendly games, then look for loan deals for them where, as mentioned, they still feature in our European youth side.
I think there is always a difference in bringing a young winger or forward into the fold as opposed to a defensive player.
27 May 2026 10:29:56
Always wondered why we don't have many youth players making it?
I see young players being brought on in other countries at 16/17/18 - we seem to wrap them up in cotton wool. I agree that many don't have the physical frame at 16, but there are some.
I tend to think that each player should be assessed based on their own circumstances. Do they have the ability, physicality, mental strength, etc - actual age is less important.
I wouldn't hold someone back because they were 16. There have been players in the past, e.g., Derek Johnstone, Barry Ferguson. Not that many, but if they were in today's Scottish Leagues, or indeed with us, it is likely that they would not get the same chance. Guess what, we were more successful then too!
27 May 2026 10:36:41
Meant to say that you just need to look at top European teams' increasing trend to push youngsters e.g.
Lamine Yamal - Barcelona
Ethan Nwaneri - Arsenal
Youssoufa Moukoko - Borussia Dortmund
Ayyoub Bouaddi - Lille
P.S. These aren't players that we are scouting lol. :-)
27 May 2026 10:59:05
You guys are highlighting the exceptions, not the norm.
As I said "very few" 16 year olds are ready for first team football at that age and there are more risks than benefits in playing them too early.
Nwaneri is a good example, from recollection he made 1 appearance in his first season and then 1 appearance in his second season - it was only in his third season that he started to get more regular minutes.
Arsenal didn't send him out on loan during this time as he wasn't physically ready to play. They kept him in and around the first team whilst he continued to play in a more physically appropriate age group.
27 May 2026 12:50:06
Eds have unfortunately but rightly refused to print my list of 3000-4000 16 yo who aren't playing first team football as it would completely block up the site and need to be spread over 4 pages. ?