Archie in blast at ‘Facebook’ footballers
PARTICK THISTLE boss Alan Archibald believes today’s youngsters are obsessed with becoming Facebook footballers.
In the week SFA Performance Director Malky McKay said a number of Scotland’s top young talent aren’t willing to make the sacrifices needed to progress, Archibald says it’s because some kids care more about their online status than trying to make the grade.
Archibald – who used to clean boots and sweep the terraces as he learned his trade – said: “I call them Facebook footballers.
“Their goal is to become full-time footballers so they can put it on their status. They think they’ve made it and switch off but it’s only the first step on a big ladder.
“I have been sitting behind a desk having to tell them their time is up and it isn’t nice.
“Social media is an obsession now. It’s taken over. We are not saying don’t do it but it seems to be the goal for young players for status purposes. Go out and play 80 games or whatever and work hard to be the best you can be.”
Archibald tries to tell Thistle’s kids there is the chance of firstteam football but only if they work hard. He said: “If they sign a contract it is only an opportunity.
“We don’t want our kids to have ready excuses as to why they didn’t make it as a footballer.
“The opportunity is there. It is up to them to grasp it.
“We want our young players to see there is a clear pathway into the first team but they need to put the work in.”
Archibald says some young players lack discipline and respect.
He said: “When I was a young player there was always somebody willing to clip you round the ear.
“That kind of thing would not be allowed now as it would be akin to bullying. If I’d walked into the Partick dressing room 20 years ago and behaved like some of the young players do today the likes of Chic Charnley or Alan Dinnie would have slapped me back out.
“There was a respect element there. Young players no longer do tough jobs at clubs like washing cars and cleaning players’ boots or sweeping the stadium.
“Doing those jobs instilled discipline into the younger players and earned them the respect of the senior pros.”