SFA chief suggests First Division link for Celtic
The SFA’s performance director introduced a blueprint for the future development of players at Hampden yesterday with former Celtic winger Brian McLaughlin amongst seven new coaches working directly with schools.
Wotte is determined to bring through kids ready for the top level of the senior game but has also recognised the gap between u-19 football and first team level.
Celtic currently have Greig Spence and Richie Towell out on loan at Hamilton and Hibs but Wotte would rather see a stronger loan arrangement in place.
The Dutchman told The Sun: “Why don’t Celtic and Rangers not look at linking up with First Division clubs at the start of the season and give them five players to develop? It’s not about money, it’s about first team playing time.
“That would be a possibility, together with an Under-20 league, to bridge the gap between young players and the late developers who need another year.
“Those are the things we can improve on. The most important thing is you have an open mind to change.”
An under-20 league is likely to replace the current u-19 set up but it’s doubtful if that change will make a significant difference.
The bulk of the current Celtic u-19 squad such as Marcus Fraser, Joe Chalmers, Mikey Miller, John Herron and Paul George were playing at u-17 level last season and have made a big impact moving up a level.
Extending their eligibility to play at that level to three seasons won’t accelerate their development but a properly planned loan arrangement would expose them to regular first team football against more seasoned professionals.
Most First Division managers would be happy at the prospect of working with some of the countries most promising kids but such a deal would compromise the identity of the club who would only have the players for a season or two.
Partick Thistle and Jackie McNamara would seem an obvious match for Celtic to loan some players out to but looking at the prospect from a Thistle point of view the Jags boss sees things differently.
Before the start of the season he said: “I’ve got the basis of my squad and think that it’s dangerous to get too many loan players in, I’d go for two or three maximum.
“If you have more than that I’d feel that I’m doing someone else’s job bringing their players on- I’d rather bring one of our kids through if I think that they have a chance.”
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