Charlie Christie: Prospects in Inverness Caley Thistle academy can follow in graduates' footsteps to the Scottish Cup final
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Whilst the curtain came down on the first team season with that cup final defeat to all-conquering Celtic, the Inverness Caledonian Thistle youth academy complete their fixtures this weekend and fittingly, it’s against our local rivals Ross County.
The players at all age levels are looking forward to taking part in their own local derbies and, quite naturally, these games always have that extra bit of edge and competition.
However, it must be remembered that winning at youth level is, in the grand scheme of things, quite irrelevant – especially at the younger age levels.
The aim of our youth academy is to try to provide young players the platform and pathway to develop over time into first team players and, once again at ICT this season, we have had relatively good success.
In total there were over 170 match day appearances from academy players at the club, with over 20 players gaining experience during the season.
It was great to see three ICT academy players on the pitch at the end of the cup final with two more on the bench, and these guys can undoubtedly act as incentive for the 90-plus players in the youth academy.
Whilst it is always nice to see young players make their first team debut it is much more important that they then continue their progress and go on to make many more appearances and hopefully develop into a first team regular, as in the case of Cameron Harper.
Cammy has had a fine season for the club and is now a first choice – fitting reward for a young man who was always a pleasure to work with and who had a great attitude throughout his youth career.
Roddy MacGregor came from the same group as Cammy, but injury has significantly curtailed Roddy’s impact this season and he’ll be hoping that his injury problems are behind him as he starts back to pre-season in a few weeks’ time.
There’s no doubt these two lads can be pivotal for us next term.
There are several others that our academy staff reckon could step up but getting the chance is often the difficulty.
It is not easy for coaches and managers to introduce young players into matches, or indeed take the brave decision to start them.
However, the benefit in doing so can be significant, and I can tell our supporters that there are a couple of youngsters who I have great expectations of over the next 6-12 months.
Time will tell if my expectations materialise, but I sincerely hope they do.
Congratulations across the bridge
Finally, I would like to congratulate Ross County chief executive Steve Ferguson on being named the 2022/23 SPL CEO of the year at the recent Football Business awards.
I first came across Stevie when we crossed swords in a Highland derby in 1996 after he joined County from Dunfermline Athletic.
Whilst we always enjoyed a ‘hearty’ midfield battle during the several times we faced each other, Steve was the first guy to shake your hand on the final whistle and he was an excellent player who we always had to be aware of in the derby matches.
It has been great seeing Steve develop and he has the experience of working in almost every department at Ross County – an attribute that will no doubt stand him in good stead as he goes forward in his executive role.
I had the pleasure of travelling to several youth meetings in Glasgow with him where we spent the journey discussing the pros and cons of Scottish youth football and they were always interesting and enjoyable chats.
Whilst that determination and will to succeed he had as a player will be the foundation for his success, it is his likeable and friendly nature which will be his biggest ally.
Steve is highly thought of throughout the game and the award is early recognition of the respect that he commands; good on him and yet another wise appointment from chairman Roy MacGregor.
