BAR SET HIGH FOR DEVELOPMENT KIDS

SCOTTISH Football Association performance director Malky Mackay said budding footballers will be expected to reach English Premier League standards in their development.

A three-year sponsorship partnership with sportswear firm JD was announced as 48 children were inducted in the performance schools programme at Hampden.

The seven schools, will ensure t he best young players in Scotland combine t heir f ootball education with their normal curriculum from between the ages of 12 and 16.

Mackay spoke of t he sacrifices to be made by the youngsters.

He said: “The demands me and my coaches will put on them will be England Premier League standard.

“I said to them, what they think is hard work, double it, then you might have a chance.

“They need to realise how much sacrifice they need to make in their lives over the next few years, how hard they are going to have to work, on their own, away from everyone.

“When they have to do extra work on their own, sacrifice going out with their friends, sacrifice going to the cinema when they have to train, sacrifice what they eat and drink to make sure that their bodies are in a situation where they can play professional football.

“That’s what I would urge the players and them to realise: what they think is hard work is nowhere near it.”