SFA performance director Malky Mackay has told the country’s newest crop of budding footballers that they will be expected to reach English Premier League standards in their development.
A three-year sponsorship partnership with sportswear firm JD was announced as 48 children were inducted in the four-year performance schools programme at Hampden Park.
The seven schools, to be renamed the Scottish FA JD Performance Schools, will ensure the best young players in Scotland combine their football education with their normal curriculum from between the ages of 12 and 16.
Mackay spoke of the sacrifices to be made by the youngsters as he promised to set the performance bar high.
The former Watford, Cardiff and Wigan boss said: “The demands me and my coaches will put on them will be England Premier League standard. I said to them, what they think is hard work, double it, then you might have a chance.
“They need to realise how much sacrifice they need to make in their lives over the next few years, how hard they are going to have to work, on their own, away from everyone.
“When they have to do extra work on their own, sacrifice going out with their friends, sacrifice going to the cinema when they have to train, sacrifice what they eat and drink to make sure that their bodies are in a situation where they can play professional football.
“That’s what I would urge the players and them to realise – what they think is hard work is nowhere near it.
“There will be ones who fall away and ones who can’t handle it but I want to make sure we show them the path that is open to them.”
Meanwhile, Mackay confirmed it will be late October before Project Brave, an initiative to revolutionise the youth game in Scotland by streamlining the number of players in the academy system, becomes clearer in its formation.
“We are still talking to the clubs,” he said. “They have their part to do in terms of filling in their applications and getting their house in order and us going to look at that.“I think by late October we should all have something to say on it.
“There is constant dialogue between ourselves and the clubs and it is bubbling along.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here