Departing Dundee United caretaker boss Gordon Young has challenged the Tannadice kids to now show they can be involved at first-team level on a regular basis.
United rounded off their dismal season with an impressive 4-2 win at Kilmarnock on Saturday.
The final goal was grabbed by 17-year-old Harry Souttar after he came on as a late sub. Following his late equaliser against Partick last midweek, winger Justin Johnson, just 20, started at the weekend.
The three games for which Gordon took charge saw fellow kids Matty Smith, Brad Smith, Ali Coote and Cammy Ballantyne get game time.
Now he wants them to show new boss Ray McKinnon he can call on them in the Championship.
“The young boys coming through should not just accept they’ve made their debuts, not just accept they’ve played a few games,” he said
“The gauntlet I threw down to them was to go and make themselves first-team regulars. That should be their aim.”
He stressed, however, his selection policy had not simply been a case of chucking the kids in because there was nothing to play for in the wake of relegation.
And he warned the latest talented crop to emerge from the youth ranks at United must be nurtured.
“It’s all right saying throw youth in and I’ve heard some experts saying you’ve got to just go do that. That doesn’t work.
“The first game they’ve got their adrenalin, they’ve got their emotion and that carries them through.
“It’s how you manage their progress after that, who they play beside, the experience that helps them through the games.
“There is definitely a degree of management on how you get to see them flourishing.”
Young took seven points from his three games in charge but, as he left the club, was reluctant to accept any credit.
“It all goes to the players. That shows you — a wee bit attitude, wee bit work rate and getting a few breaks — what can happen.
“The last task, I said at half-time, was to go away for the summer knowing you’ve finished the season well.
“If you can sit down at the end of the game knowing you’ve given your all, then nobody can point a finger at you.
“And I am glad they did because they deserved that.”
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