BEN RAMAGE§
Allan McManus is undoubtedly from the school of thought that talent is nothing without opportunity.
The St Mirren academy boss has seen promising young players fail to reach their full potential throughout his career, both as a player himself and as a coach.
Without the platform to go and prove your worth, it’s so often the case that prospects can go astray and miss the chance to make it to the top level.
That is why McManus is delighted new Saints manager Stephen Robinson is so determined to give the Paisley club’s academy stars the chance to shine in the first team going forward.
The former Motherwell boss helped promote a host of talented youngsters through to the first team during his time at Fir Park, including the likes of David Turnbull, Chris Cadden and Allan Campbell.
McManus firmly believes the Buddies best young talents will get the same opportunities to strut their stuff under Robinson.
But he insists the ball is now in their court and they must grab the chance to become local heroes with both hands.
Speaking exclusively to Express Sport, McManus said: “The whole point of any academy is to develop youngsters to support the first team.
“The new manager has shown he has faith in young players before and I’m sure that’s going to be the case again here.
“He has already had more young players training with the first team squad, which has been brilliant.
“They’re buzzing because they know they have an opportunity to make it into the first team, so they’re even more focused and are working even harder than before.
“Clubs our size cannot survive without a strong academy. We need to produce our own players and the fans want to see that too.
“They enjoy seeing their own youngsters coming through and living out their own boyhood dream, especially if they’re from the local community.
“The manager has made it clear they’ll be given opportunities. Now it’s down to the youngsters to show they’re ready to take it.”
McManus believes Robinson’s focus on youth has already borne fruit after top talent Kieran Offord signed a new two-year contract extension this week.
Other clubs in both England and Scotland were interested in bagging his signature, with bigger financial resources than St Mirren.
But Robinson’s youth policy made the difference as Offord decided he has a better chance of progression staying put in Paisley.
McManus said: “Kieran is at a stage where he’s doing very well.
“We thought the best pathway for him was to join East Stirlingshire in the Lowland League, rather than a club in League Two.
“That has proved to be a excellent move for him as he’s been finding the net regularly and developing physically. He found himself in the first squad out of necessity against Celtic and Rangers due to Covid-19 issues, but he showed he has the potential to shine at that level.
“Physically, technically and mentally he has so much ability.
“He still has a lot to learn, but one thing that stands him in great stead is that he’s very focused.
“He wants to improve and learn all the time and that can take him a long way.
“There were lots of bigger clubs sniffing around him, but it’s an easy decision to stay when you’re a young player if the manager says you’ll be getting opportunities.
“Kieran will thrive with that challenge and I’m sure he’ll become an integral part of the first-team squad going forward.”
Offord is not the only Saints academy graduate who has been impressing on the pitch recently.
During the international break teenage talent Dylan
Reid grabbed three more caps for
Scotland’s
Under-17’s, producing two vital assists and going toe-to-toe with Germany’s best young prospects.
St Mirren winger Jay Henderson also made his debut for Scotland’s
Under-21’s, with teammate Ethan Erhahon also involved with that squad last year.
McManus believes time away with the national team will only enhance their development and hopes even more Saints youngsters gain that recognition and opportunity to pull on a Scotland jersey.
McManus added: “We’ve had quite a few make Scotland squads over the last few years and ultimately that’s down to the players’ hard work, as well as being testament to all of our staff.
“It’s important for the club because it shows we are developing players with the technical and tactical ability to play for their country.
“We take Dylan for granted as he’s only just turned 17. He’s still a baby, but he’s been there or thereabouts in the first team environment because he’s a very, very talented player.
“He just needs to be physically ready to bang on the
manager’s door next season and say he has to be in the team.
“It’s a huge achievement for Jay to make the step up to the Under-21’s.
“He has shown his quality for the first team recently and hopefully there’s loads more to come from him.
“The manager has shown faith in him already and I believe he can become an integral part of the squad.
“The challenge for him now is to nail that starting spot down. Ethan is another real talent and hopefully they will all progress to become important first team players next season.”