Al I will never understand what has happened to all the footballing talent that used to come out of Scotland.Every top club had a top rate Scot in the team and we at Liverpool had so many great Scottish internationals over the years.
It is good to see that Skrtel was able to help Scotland out.
Ha the answer to that is a long one Billy.......though I think we have a pretty damn good left back not getting much of a game for us just now
3 quick views - one political: -
1) Tory cuts in 80s and 90s really impacted us up here. I’m 47 and when I was a kid there were pitches available to train / play - those were lost through 90s and into early 00’s to developers as councils scrambled for funds . That’s improved massively now but it set us back a generation.
2) Self-interest / maladjusted coaching. In my 10+ years involved in youth development in Scotland I reckon less than 20% coaches are in it for the right reason. Mostly they’re looking after their own kids or fulfilling a need in themselves. Much of the garbage I’ve heard shouted at kids is bordering on moronic. I include myself - in my early days coaching in all the above! Coaches are getting better training but there are still too many of the wrong people for the wrong reasons.
3) Scottish clubs sucked hard from the Bosman tit in the 90s and neglected youth development. Why bother investing when you can bring in a cheaper foreigner who’s likely better schooled anyway. Again that set us back a generation.......
I’ve no issue with foreign players at all - but it shouldn’t have been at the expense of youth development.
Nothing particularly insightful there Billy but that’s how I see it.......
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