SFA to hold 'critically important' summit in St Andrews on 4 September
The Scottish Football Association will hold a "critically important" summit on the future of the national game in St Andrews on 4 September, an email sent to all Scottish Professional Football League clubs says. The invitation, seen by BBC Scotland, follows Scotland failing to make the men's World Cup knock-out stage.
The email says the SFA intends to "discuss opportunities" around homegrown talent and will hear from clubs that have "optimised their elite talent development model." It adds the objective is to focus on the "current reality" facing Scottish football and that part of the conversation will be about improving prospects for homegrown Scottish talent and increasing revenue streams for clubs.
The memo was circulated after Scotland failed to make it out of their group at the men's World Cup, their first finals since 1998. The timing of the forum was highlighted in the email as prompting a wider conversation about the state of the national game.
Former Aberdeen and Scotland defender Willie Miller commented on the need for change, asking: "Why do we need serious change? Is it an issue with getting young players through the academies? What is actually wrong with our game in Scotland? We've qualified for three major tournaments. The fans seem to be buying in to the league set-up. The numbers are up and the numbers seem to speak for themselves. I'm all for them getting together, I'm all for the authorities speaking to the clubs. There are issues and there are problems. There will be resistance. What we're talking about here is trying to create a pathway to allow the players to get into the first team."
Dundee manager and former Scotland defender Steven Pressley said: "We're finally beginning to see some of our young players playing in the lower leagues [on loan via co-operation agreements]. Young players playing games in a competitive, man's environment from an early age is critical. Often, players that you don't think are the ones that'll come through are often the ones that come through just when they get opportunity and exposure. Players just surprise you with opportunity. The league needs to be bigger. There's something in every game in England with 24 teams. You have periods of the season where you can throw younger kids in for six, seven games without any repercussions. Here, everything matters - European spot, top six or relegation. Other leagues have put caps on the amount of players and homegrown. Certainly we're doing our part."
Former Hearts, Motherwell and Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday urged structural change from the grassroots upward, saying: "There's a vast amount of change needed, from the ground up. There has to be x amount of Scottish talent in a matchday squad. There has to be a clearer pathway between youth football and first-team football. From grassroots up, there's a multitude of changes that have to be made. We have to deliberately delay 11 v 11 football. Can it go back to nine-a-side football? There's more one-v-ones, more decision making, more game involvements, they'll have double the amount of touches. Technique should be paramount."
The summit will be hosted by SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell and chief football officer Craig Mulholland, with clubs invited to attend the forum in St Andrews on 4 September.
