Five talented kids make pro youth step up

Drumsagard Football Academy under-11 Blues coach Craig Baxter says a conveyor belt of talent is being showcased as five youngsters have signed pro-youth forms with Motherwell and Queen’s Park.

And he says it’s great for the Cambuslang area that so much talent is being nurtured.

Drumsagard lost just one of 35 games in the Glasgow and DistrictYouth League last season, which saw scouts flocking to games.

Baxter says parents are asking for their kids to be put players through Drumsagard’s set-up to give them a better chance of success.

That’s certainly true of young central defender AJ Smith and central midfielder Archie Ross, who have signed for Queen’s Park, and centre forward Corey Baxter, goalkeeper Calum Gregson and centre

back Jake Sharpe, who have all been snapped up by Motherwell.

Craig, who is one of a team of four coaches, alongside Craig Thorburn, Stevie Gregson and Ryan Gregson, said:“It’s brilliant.

“Queens and Motherwell came in because they saw the ability of them.

“All season we have had scouts at games, asking about players, and the boys have been absolutely brilliant. They have deserved it – every one of them has deserved it. We have had most of these boys for five years, since they were maybe five years old, and they have a great understanding of each other so that has helped us a lot.

“They have slotted straight into their pro-youth teams, hit the ground running and they’re absolutely flying, so it’s not as it has been a big leap for them.

“We’ve played against pro-youth teams at Motherwell,

Rangers, Celtic, Queen’s Park, and we have won most of those games, so the club itself is thriving.

“The boys who have moved on are doing brilliant.

“We’ve brought another five boys in, who are doing well also, so they’ll be nurtured in and trained in the same way.”

Craig now hopes the success of their talented quintet will provide the chance for more of their stars to get noticed.

He added:“It’s a platform, it’s something for them to look at and see their teammates who have done well.

“These scouts will keep coming to watch us, because they know the calibre of players we’re bringing through, so everybody has a chance to step up to the big stage, so to speak.

“It’s great for us. It’s great for the club, and it’s great for the Cambuslang area as well, with so many players from the one team moving on.”