retired_pat2

not sure what Indiscriminatingly means but I don't condone the killing of innocents. Legitimate targets only !! ie Brit soldiers invading a foreign land for their own greed.

retired_pat2

When did you lot win it again ?

Have you even been in it

retired_jhr2211

IRA : Cut the abuse and trolling out.

First and only warning.

retired_marcias

Since you bring the topic up (although from the sound of your replies so far I guess I can't expect a sensible response) what happened to Celtic's great youth system? Sure money is prevelant nowadays in world football, but if 11 lads from Glasgow could win the European Cup back in 1967 (I think) why can't the same thing happen nowadays? I refuse to believe that there aren't 11 kids living in Glasgow who, with the right training, couldn't go out there playing for Celtic and do well in Europe.

That isn't a criticism of Celtic, just a general gripe I have. So many clubs complain about a lack of money or that they can't compete in the transfer market so why don't they really put money into their youth systems and bring through those players like Celtic did all those years ago. Sure football has changed, but a football team isn't that many people - I wish I had more control over my youth system in FM to focus the club's money on getting those local kids in and training them up to have a team of 11 Geordies or 11 Glasgwegians or whatever it may be instead of always having to sign players because the youth systems aren't good enough. </BLOCKQUOTE>

This is something that I believe is now happening more in Scotland - mainly due to the fact that they have little money to spend on players rather than any great foresight.

Celtic have one of the best development programs now for boys aged 5 and upwards. I know because despite some of my family being Rangers supporters, my son plays for the Celtic under 7s. You always need a good figurehead for the youths and Celtic have this in Tommy Burns. I have to say that the standard of coaching is excellent - as are the facilities. So, although they know he would rather eventually play for Athletico Madrid, they are (as am I) glad that he trains and plays with them in the meantime.

Unfortunately, few others teams have anything like it (only really St. Johnstone, and Aberdeen). And despite Rangers' superb academy facilities, I have yet to hear of any similar development programs at such a young age. </BLOCKQUOTE>


I have certainly been encouraged by the progress in Scottish youngsters in recent years. I have no idea what any of the youth systems are actually like, but Hibs and Aberdeen have produced a fair number of talented youngsters and from my FM experience I've seen various players at Kilmarnock and other clubs who came through their youth setup.

I guess the key thing is the modern urgency of football. Player transfers cost a lot of money, but the effect is immediate so you have short term gain from the outlay. Good youth systems cost a fortune initially and you only start to reap the rewards maybe 10 years after you make that initial outlay so apart from clubs like Crewe in England who had the foresight to develop a great youth setup years ago most go for the easy short term option instead