Euros boys have put us firmly back on the map
MALKY MACKAY reckons the rise of Nathan Patterson and Billy Gilmour has made Scotland the talk of world football again.
Former SFA performance director Mackay was a major advocate of the performance schools that have since seen graduates Gilmour and Patterson make the Euros squad.
Right-back Patterson may travel to Dingwall as a Rangers player this weekend but that won’t stop the Ross County boss being filled with pride at the 19-year-old’s progress.
Mackay said: “I was delighted and not surprised to see Nathan coming through and get a chance at Rangers.
“Nathan was one of our 16s at the SFA when he was a gangly full-back but there was a huge prospect there.
“His body needed to develop because the talent was absolutely there.
“I see young players who have come through for the last six or seven years now get chances at their clubs in Scotland, like some 16-year-olds making debuts over our four leagues.
“And the ones starting to come through and now the oldest age group, who started at 12 in these schools, are Nathan and Billy. They are putting on Scotland jerseys and that gives me a big smile.
“That’s down to the dedication of the seven coaches at seven schools, Brian McLaughlin at the SFA, who runs the programme, and everyone who puts time and effort in.
“I still do work for UEFA and FIFA and when I present to countries what the performance schools are, they’ll come and ask me details of how to set these up. It’s incredible.”