Young players prospering in SPL

New research has revealed that the number of teenagers playing in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague has doubled since the inaugural 1998/99 season.

In that first campaign, a total of 27 homegrown teenagers made first-team appearances but that figure soared to 54 for the season just ended, an average of 4.5 per club.

Many of them made major contributions in 2005/06, not least Steven Naismith at Kilmarnock. Calum Elliot made his mark at Hearts and Dundee United's David Goodwillie was on target against Hibernian to become the SPL's youngest ever scorer, just short of his 17th birthday.

Teenagers used in 2005/06 SPL matches:Aberdeen 4Celtic 2Dundee United 8Dunfermline 5Falkirk 6Hearts 5Hibernian 4Inverness CT 3Kilmarnock 2Livingston 7Motherwell 5Rangers 3

The figures were compiled by Dundee United Head of Youth Development Graeme Liveston, who chairs monthly Youth Initiative meetings involving the 12 member clubs and the SPL at Hampden.

SPL Executive Chairman Lex Gold hailed the findings as proof that the high priority given to youth development is bearing fruit.

He said: "It's often talked about in the media but young players are getting their chance in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague here and now.

"Youth coaches are in many ways the unsung heroes of the Scottish game and it's an indication of the quality of teenagers in the SPL that their numbers have doubled from 27 to 54 since the league was set up in 1998."