Boss Rice vowsaccies’academy will

Hearts owner Anne Budge and Partick Thistle chairman Jacqui Low’s (inset) fight with the SPFL goes on – and on

Hamilton Accies’ renowned youth academy will be safeguarded from any cuts that have to be made in response to the coronavirus situation.

The pandemic is posing a severe financial challenge to all Scottish football clubs, regardless of size.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has warned it could be several months before paying fans can get back into grounds, meaning clubs will be denied their primary source of income.

With kids representing very much a long-term investment, a number of larger clubs have been looking at their youth systems as an obvious starting place to make savings.

However, with Accies able to boast the likes of James Mcarthur, James Mccarthy and Ali Crawford among their graduates, they are determined to continue to make the development of their own talent a priority.

“Hamilton’s Academy will be still here. That is definite,” said Accies boss, Brian Rice, who will look for big contributions from Lewis Smith (20) and Jamie Hamilton (18) in the new season.

“The pandemic has raised concerns about youth and professional football, but it won’t impact our youth system here.

“We have a fantastic youth system. It is the lifeblood of this club.

“That is one thing about Hamilton – we will do whatever we can to make sure this Academy is always here.

“It has been very fruitful in the past, and it will just be run as it has been run before.

“Like everyone else,