Invest In Youth And Get A Return

06 January 2013 13:11
Clubs have to look inwards when looking for first team players. Young players have to emerge from somewhere so why not the promote them from within.

Aberdeen manager Craig Brown likes what he sees when checking on the emerging talent at Pittodrie. Brown applauds the work being done by youth development chief Neil Simpson and coach Neil Cooper. They are helping develop youngsters such as defender Joe Shaughnessy who is becoming a regular in Brown's first team along with teenagers Clark Robertson, Cammy Smith and Ryan Fraser. The Dons manager said: "We had four youngsters playing against Dundee United last weekend - Joe Shaughnessy, Clark Robertson, Cammy Smith and Ryan Fraser - in what was a demanding fixture. It is good for the club and good for the lads themselves. In our previous game against St Johnstone, 10 of the 18 players on duty for us were under 21 - and that was quite exceptional. The young players who are coming through have been brought on by the two Neils. They are very important guys at Pittodrie. When you're looking for a player to come in, you look over your shoulder and they'll say: 'Here's one.' Joe Shaughnessy is an example of that and was outstanding while on his year-long loan at Forfar."

Source: ScottishFitba

Source: FOOTYMAD