Dons sit at top table of Scottish youth football

Aberdeen are among eight clubs who have been given elite status by the Scottish FA under its new academy structure.

Project Brave will see the SFA work with clubs to improve the overall standard of young players with the aim of enhancing the domestic game and boosting the national team in the future.

SFA performance director Malky Mackay said: “This is a significant mile- stone for Project Brave. Club Academy Scotland is a fundamental part of the process and a lot of work has gone into developing the criteria used to assess the clubs. From day one this has been a collaborative activity.

“The clubs have been engaged at every step, with daily dialogue to help with their applications.

“We have been heartened and inspired by so many of the positive things we have seen in regards to the development of young Scottish footballers and our aim is to assist clubs and encourage them to hit the highest possible standards.”

Caley Thistle and Ross County, subject to appeal, have been given progressive club status and will still have access to a level of funding from the SFA to support the running and improvement of their academies.

Mackay added: “What I would like to stress is that the bandings are not fixed and they will be reassessed in June 2018.

“No door is closed to clubs outside of the elite bracket with aspirations to move up.

“As a result of the conversations we had with clubs, a new middle tier was created.

“The progressive category was designed to ensure smaller but ambitious clubs with academies could find their natural place in the system, with scope to push on.”

Aberdeen, Celtic, Hamitlon, Hearts, Hibs, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Rangers.

Ayr United, Dundee United, Forth Valley, Caley Thistle, Partick Thistle, Ross County*, St Mirren, St Johnstone.

Dundee, Fife, Morton*, Queen’s Park.

* May be subject to appeal.