Mark Wotte has hailed the decision of Premiership clubs to “provide a pipeline of talent” by sticking with the SPFL Under-20 league and not reverting to a reserve competition.
Wotte, the SFA’s performance director, has cited Dundee United full-back Andrew Robertson’s elevation to full internationalist and John McGinn’s prominence in the St Mirren first team as examples of the young talent that exists in Scottish football.
The Dutchman is convinced the under-20 format, which sees teams from all 12 Premiership clubs augmented by Rangers, Dunfermline, Hamilton Accies and Falkirk, is the best way to develop promising players into first-team stars.
An agreement was reached at last week’s SPFL general meeting to continue with the current youth set-up.
Wotte said: “The introduction of the under-20s has been a hugely positive step forward in our collective efforts to give the most talented young players the best pathway to first-team football as possible.
“With the stipulations of a floodlit stadium and standardised kick-off slots to attract supporters, it has given those on the brink of first-team football extra incentive and motivation to take that all-important next step.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of the under-20 league to our ‘best versus best’ philosophy during the final step before first-team football.
“In the last 18 months, 70 players have progressed from under-20s into the first teams of their clubs.”