Stephen McGinn is one of the few coaches in Scottish football who are actively trying to lose their best players. The St Mirren under-18 manager is desperate to see his top performers unavailable due to first-team duty.

In Evan Mooney and Callum Penman, McGinn has two rising talents seemingly close to breaking into the first-team environment having already been involved in matchday squads and regularly training with the top team at Ralston.

Mooney, just 16, made his first-team debut in Saturday's 4-0 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle in the latest display of the pathway in Paisley.

Last night, McGinn's side thrashed Caledonian Braves 8-0 in a Scottish Youth Cup tie played at the SMiSA Stadium as Stephen Robinson, assistant Brian Kerr and academy director Allan McManus watched on.

McGinn is certain the proactive approach from the first-team backroom staff will help further motivate his players, especially after Mooney's debut and Penman featuring on the bench.

"Ultimately we don't want to have them, if we lose Evan to the first team then great," said McGinn after the thumping win in front of a few hundred supporters in Paisley.

Evan obviously made his debut at 16 years old, we are really proud of him at the academy, he works hard and he gave, apart from obviously the scoreline wasn't ideal, but he gave everyone at the academy, the boys on Sunday were so buzzing to see him and hopefully it's not, he goes on to have a real good St Mirren career.

"The manager and Keith [Lasley], great, they're both very proactive to get the games here, they come and support, they keep a keen eye on the boys and it's just a reminder that they are competing, Evan getting an appearance, they are competing with the first team for places and the manager will put them in. 

"We're really proud of Evan, we're delighted for him,  it just shows you the level he's at that he's able to make his Premier League debut at 16.

"I've been there myself where you'd be on the bench week after week, obviously Evan's parents didn't go through with the game [against Hearts] because I don't think they even expected him to be on the bench so it's just being patient and just be ready.  

"You never know when your time is and I'm pleased for him, it was a bad day for the football club in terms of result and performance but a huge boost for the academy."

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Another standout performer in the youth ranks has been Struan Thompson. The teenager, 16, is son of St Mirren legend Steven Thompson, who leapt to his feet in celebration as Thompson Jr netted the opener in Paisley.

McGinn knows there is an expectation attached to the surname in Paisley and admits Thompson will have to cope with the inevitable excitement surrounding his development as the son of a fan favourite.

However, McGinn has insisted the father and son are very different on the pitch - despite both playing up front.

"It's something he's going to have to deal with, with his surname," he said of Thompson, who has been with the first-team matchday squad and spoken with Robinson albeit he is yet to feature.

"His dad's an absolute legend here. They're so different, Struan can't hit the ball like his dad and his dad can't put it in the top corner with his bad foot.

"We appreciate the name, he was an amazing player here and so popular, so it's something Struan's going to have to deal with."

St Mirren XI: Tamosevicius, Penman, Clark, McEvoy, Hutchison, Hunter, Mooney, Turner, McCormick, Thompson, Falconer.

Subs: Kelly, Farquhar, Marshall, Mitchell, Douglas, Stoddart, Lavery.