A heads up

There are many young Scottish footballers aged 5-15 who take part in coaching sessions each weekend. The qualified coaches who give of their time, week in week out, must be more than disappointed at the lack of progress made by the youngsters when they pass into their late teenage years. Gone are the halcyon days when our league teams and national team performed with distinction outwith our shores.

Celtic have done well in recent years, with the majority of their players being Scottish – perhaps other Scottish teams could take a leaf out of their book?

A reserve premier league could be the answer, with teams restricted to a few nonscottish players on the pitch at any one time. This would provide young Scottish players with the encouragement, motivation and ambition to fulfil their boyhood dreams and improve the quality of our game in the long term, particularly at international level.

MARGARET WALLACE Broomfield Avenue, Cumnock