Should we support the younger generation of players?

Many people may think that it ain't a good idea to support for example Under 20s or even Under 17s. Why is this?

If people really think about what those teams are doing for the future of Scottish football, they wouldn't have such an objection to supporting them

Personally I go to every home game that I can for my teams Under 20s, this has allowed me to see what talent my team and others in the Scottish game have to offer. Many boys who are now playing first team games week in week out have probably came through the ranks at their current club or another club in Scotland. A few boys that have come through the ranks at Scottish clubs are people like John Souttar, Ryan Gauld and even bigger names such as Stuart Armstrong and Johnny Russell all came through the Dundee United Youth Academy. Gary Mackay-Steven also came through the ranks at Ross County. From other clubs in Scotland boys like Chris Johnston (Kilmarnock), Fraser Aird and Lewis Macleod (Rangers). 

Photo; Gayfield(Home of Arbroath FC) where some of the United Under 20s games get played.

To start of with the bigger names like  Stuart Armstrong who is still playing for Dundee United after coming through the 20s ranking. Armstrong started off his career in Dyce, playing for their boys club before moving up to Inverness to play for Calley Thistle. He then moved on to play for United Under 20s with only missing four Youth Games and netting 13 goals in his first season. Armstrong is now a regular for United has been for a few years now. Armstrong has also had many caps for Scotland's Under 21s and is lucky enough to captain them. 

Other names like Johnny Russell and Gary Mackay-Steven also came through ranks at (now) SPFL clubs. For Mackay-Steven it was Dingwall side Ross County and for Russell it was Dundee United. Both of these boys have played for their country at various levels. Now Mackay-Steven is still Dundee's Messi and manages to play most weeks for the Tanngerine side. However for Russell, his United career might be over for just now as he is gone to do bigger and better stuff at English side Derby County.

Photo; Johnny Russell training for United alongside Gary Mackay-Steven

More younger names such as John Souttar and Ryan Gauld who have just recently broke into the first team at Dundee United. Souttar making is debut in a 'New Firm Derby' at the start of this year at the young age of 16 years and 100 days, making him the youngest player to play for United. Along side Souttar, Gauld also broke into the team. Gauld made his first debut as a sub in May 2013. Both these boys were brought in from Brechin City boys club and went on to play for the Under 15s. This opened gate ways for boy of them allowing them to break through to the 17s then the 20s and now the first team. Both have also had various apperances for Scotland Under 19s. 

Players from other teams such as Chris Johnston who has came through the ranks at Kilmarnock and has now broke into the first team at the age of 17. Like the others Johnston came through the now the 20s rank (the 19s rank before) to break through into the first team under previous manager Kenny Shiels. Allowing Johnston into the team it allowed him have better confidence in himself and his playing career. Most weeks Johnston is either playing for the first team or on the bench. He is now a full time Kilmarnock player and is very rarely not in the team.

From Rangers Lewis Macleod and Fraser Aird just to mention a few have broke through the ranks at Rangers. Macleod started his youth career at Rangers in 2004 till 2012 when he broke into the senior team. Aird started his youth career in Canada until the age of 16 where he made a massive move to Rangers to play for their youth team in 2011. Aird played for their youth team for a year before breaking through to the senior team with team mate Macleod in 2012. Both players had their fair share of games with Aird being the Hampden hero last season for Rangers. Now Aird sometimes still plays with the 20s as he doesn't get many games with the first team. As for Macleod he is either playing or on the bench every week for Rangers, he has also represented Scotland at various levels.

Photo; Lewis Macleod in action for Rangers first team

For all these young players they have all came through the ranks at various different clubs. They have all done well for themselves and have proven to the fans of their clubs that the youth system is really working. Especially with big names like Johnny Russell being involved in the Dundee United youth system and now plays for a massive club in England. Why shouldn't we support the younger generation if they are going to turn out to be fantastic players? Watching young Souttar and Gauld playing is a honour, many boys look up to them as they are still 17 and are playing for a SPFL club.

Even now their are still players who are playing in the Under 20s League and look like they could break through to the first team very soon. Players at Dundee United would be Darren Petrie, Euan Spark, Mark Russell and even Jamie Montgomery. Petrie and Spark have recently signed new contracts keeping them at United till 2016. Petrie has already had his debut for United on the same day as Souttar did and has also been out on loan to give him some experience. However, none of the other boys have managed to get their debut, Spark has been on the bench but not managing to get onto the park. Hopefully these boys will break through soon.

There are many other players who I could mention that I have seen play in the 20s League who are potentially candidates for breaking into the first team sooner rather than later. I hope after reading this more people want to go and support the younger generation of players. I personally am so glad that I have had the opportunity to watch some of these players before they broke into the first team.

Photo; Mark Russell a possible contender for breaking through into the first team soon in action in the 20s League.