The Scottish Football Association is to hold a ‘critically important’ summit around the future of the national game. An email has been sent to all Scottish Professional Football League clubs to attend the forum, which will take place in St Andrews on 4 September.
The email, which has been seen by BBC Scotland, says the SFA will discuss opportunities around homegrown talent and hear from clubs who have optimised their elite talent development model. The memo also states the objective is to focus on the current reality facing Scottish football.
Part of the conversation will be around improving the prospects for homegrown Scottish talent and increasing revenue streams for clubs. This comes after Scotland’s national team failed to make it out of their group at the men’s World Cup, their first finals since 1998. The summit will be hosted by SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and chief football officer Craig Mulholland.
Reaction from within the Scottish game
Former Aberdeen and Scotland defender Willie Miller questioned the need for serious change, noting Scotland have qualified for three major tournaments and that fan numbers are up. He said he supports the authorities speaking with clubs, though acknowledged there are issues and problems, adding there will be resistance to creating a pathway for players to reach first teams.
Dundee manager and former Scotland defender Steven Pressley said young players are increasingly appearing in the lower leagues on loan via co-operation agreements. He said playing games in a competitive, man’s environment from an early age is critical, adding that players often surprise people once given opportunity and exposure.
Aberdeen manager Stephen Robinson said the league needs to be bigger, pointing to England’s 24-team structure allowing younger players to be introduced without repercussions. He said in Scotland every game matters because of European qualification, top six finishes or relegation, and noted other leagues have introduced caps on homegrown player numbers.
Calls for wider changes
Former Hearts, Motherwell and Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday said a vast amount of change is needed from the ground up. He said there has to be a set amount of Scottish talent required in a matchday squad, along with a clearer pathway between youth and first-team football. Halliday also suggested deliberately delaying the move to 11-a-side football, questioning whether the game could return to nine-a-side, with technique made paramount.
