Miller blasts rule stopping kids playing
Charlie Miller believes young footbal lers in Scotland not attached to pro clubs are being forgotten about by the game’s authorities.
The former Rangers and Scotland midfielder now runs his own academy in Glasgow, which has been hit hard by the Covid lockdown.
Miller admits several talented kids have already been lost to the game as a result of the Strachan used to talk pandemic. about touches of the ball
But he fears many more and how other countries will follow if young were giving kids far more amateur players aren’t touches. allowed to play for more “In Scotland, we seem than one team. to want to reduce their
Miller said: “We’re playing time. struggling for bodies at “It’s as if we don’t care 11-a-side and we’ve lost about players who some players because of aren’t connected to a the pandemic already. professional club.
“I’ve discovered that “But this is when these young players can’t play kids grow and flourish. for a team on a Saturday “Being able to play for and a Sunday. It’s bizarre. more than one team
“I’m flabbergasted by keeps them interested. It this. Up to 10 years old, might stop them having you can play for as many a cheeky beer with their teams as you like. pals on a Saturday night.
“And if you’re a men’s “At this age, they can amateur player older improve dramatically. It’s than 17, it’s the same. madness and it’s killing
“But for kids at the ages kids’ progression.” in between they can’t Like pal Andy McLaren, play for two teams in Miller is staggered that a different leagues. local facility in his local
“It’s a UEFA rule area of Castlemilk, aimed at young Barlia Football players in Centre, is being
We’v pro- youth, closed.
play e lost whi ch I He played understand. on the
ers t
“But I’m pitches
pand o not sure why growing up
emic the Scottish and says it’s a Amateur vital asset. Association is Miller said: using it as well. It just “This pitch has to be doesn’t make any sense opened up. and will hold kids in this “It’s a joke. You can’t country back. just close places like this
“I’m from a generation in housing estates. where you played as “Kids need somewhere many games as you to play. It’s embarrassing could. and it’s not right.
“We’ve just had a year “This isn’t just about with kids not playing stopping teams playing any football. organised, 11-a- side or
“Now they’re back, they five-a- side football. It’s could train Monday, about young children, Tuesday, Wednesday and dur ing the school Thursday for different holidays, getting on it to teams – then have games play with their pals. on Saturday and Sunday. “Some of the schools
“Instead, that’s now have pitches but during cut to a Tuesday, the holidays the gates Thursday and a game get locked. on Saturday. “Young people are
“I thought we wanted desperate to get out to to get kids out getting play again. I can’t believe healthy? We’re halting they’re thinking about progression. Gordon closing it – it’s crazy.”