George: Dons duo set great example to starlets
George Cairns says the success of Aberdeen duo Michael Devlin and Lewis Ferguson sets an example to Hamilton’s young stars.
And the Accies head of Youth Academy says they can fight it out over who gets him the best seat for the Betfred Cup final on December 2.
Devlin and Ferguson left Hamilton for Pittodrie last season, and last Sunday Lewis scored in a 1-0 semi-final win over Rangers, while Michael was man of the match.
That was a source of great pride for George, and he hopes it shows what can be achieved if players work hard enough.
He said:“it’s fantastic. I texted them to wish them luck before the game and then obviously watched it – and the two of them can fight over who gives me the best seats for the actual final itself!
“Credit to them, they’re a credit to the Academy. They’re good kids, they’ve moved on, and like Eamonn Brophy at Kilmarnock and players like that, it’s lovely to see these kids doing well in the game.
“I’ve always stressed that if it doesn’t work at Hamilton it’s not the be-all and end-all, these kids can go and work in another environment, in other areas, and hopefully they find their own platforms to go and get better.
“It’s a great result for the kids and I’m really happy for them.
“It shows another example; examples are a great thing at this football club.
“We have enough photographs around the stadium that show young kids at an early age that if you’re good enough, you work hard enough, you have the right attitude and you apply yourself, then you have a chance to play for the first team.
“If you play for the first team, who knows where the platform can go? You can go to Aberdeen and play in a semi-final against Rangers and get into the final.
“It’s beneficial for us to use as examples, and long may it continue.”