Inverness Caley Thistle coach Ryan Esson believes SPFL Trust Trophy trip to Hamilton is chance for under-18s to make an impression
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Ryan Esson says tomorrow's SPFL Trust Trophy is an opportunity for Caley Thistle's under-18s to make their mark – and stressed they are going to Hamilton to win.
Inverness confirmed at the start of the week that they would be taking a mostly youth squad to the Accies for this weekend's cup tie due to the injury crisis currently affecting the Caley Jags.
At last count, nine first team players were on the sidelines, with the few players left either forced into playing every minute of recent matches or playing through their own issues.
This weekend, then, will see a raft of debuts for youngsters getting their first taste of senior football, and Esson believes it is a chance to impress Billy Dodds and stake their claim for more regular involvement.
"It will show me how far along these lads are in their development," Esson said.
"It's a real step up and a huge challenge, but I'll get to see what they're like in that environment, and they will get to feel what it's like in the first team.
"We cannot have the fear of taking the ball and passing the ball when we have opportunities.
"Hopefully the boys don't feel like that, and they feel they can go and express themselves.
"It's something they will never have felt before, but I'm hoping they see this as the chance to lay a marker to become a first team footballer."
Next ones along on the conveyor belt
One thing that Caley Thistle as a club cannot be criticised for is a lack of opportunities for young players.
Over the last few years the likes of Daniel MacKay, Cammy Harper and Roddy MacGregor have become first team regulars, following in the footsteps of Liam Polworth and Ryan Christie before them.
Optimism has been high at the Caledonian Stadium that more talents will be in line to follow suit in years to come, and this weekend could be the first chance to see them in action.
Esson is certainly hopeful that more of the young talents he works with will find a way into the first team picture going forward.
"They see the likes of Cammy Harper, Dan MacKay, Roddy MacGregor, then you have Lewis Nicolson, Matty Strachan, Calum MacKay who all played against Brechin, so they can see a pathway to break through," Esson explained.
"Hopefully the ones on the fringes of the 18s can step up and hold their own at Hamilton – I'm not saying we're going to be playing beautiful football, we're realistic of the challenge facing us, but we'll be embracing it.
"There have been opportunities before. We played against St Johnstone's first team in pre-season and probably didn't do ourselves justice. A few of the guys can play better, so come Saturday I'm hoping they embrace everything that's coming at them.
"Three of them are already in full time – Keith Bray, Matthew Strachan and Calum MacKay – so I think our future is bright because the academy sets itself up for success.
"We've got a lot of other players coming through behind them, and I think another few might get given the same opportunities. They will need to prove themselves, but I can't see things slowing down.
"I see what's coming up. I'm quite close to Ross Tokely who coaches the under-16s, because I need to know his squad to see what's coming to me in January.
"Then you've got the boys in the under-18s who have another year to go, so I don't see why we can't keep being successful at youth level and bringing players through."
