Ross County enlist Caley Thistle legend Gary Warren in new educational role to enable youth academy players to mix football development with learning and employment
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Caley Thistle legend Gary Warren is set to join Ross County in a brand new youth academy role.
The hero of the Terry Butcher and John Hughes eras in Inverness will deploy coaching and educational expertise to head up County’s own mini-version of the SFA’s much-vaunted performance schools system.
A key plank of the SFA’s player development strategy since 2012, the seven central belt, Dundee and Aberdeen schools have enabled some of Scotland’s best young footballers – including Chelsea and Scotland’s Billy Gilmour and Everton’s Scotland international Nathan Patterson – to train and be coached during school hours.
County’s plan, with Warren at the helm, is to ensure the Dingwall club’s own under 18s academy prospects can do the same on a daily basis, whether at school, college or in employment.
Warren (37), a qualified PE teacher and sport, exercise science and coaching lecturer with UEFA A and B licences, is relocating from Bristol after leaving Tiverton Town, his fourth post-Caley Thistle club.
The Scottish Cup winner, who tasted Europa League football with ICT, will mix the new role with a part-time playing contract at Highland League Clachnacuddin.
Warren, who captained the Inverness club latterly in a six-year spell, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for everybody involved, and I thank Ross County for enabling me to come into this role.
“I’m privileged and honoured to have the opportunity to work with a great team and some excellent professionals.
“I look forward to helping develop and improve the current and emerging crop of young footballers.
“Ross County has had a good track record of developing young players over the years and I want to come in and support that and help to try and unearth future talent.
“I’ve made it clear over the years that I am really attached to the Highlands, a fantastic part of the world.
“For me, this is an exciting new chapter that allows me to develop my coaching journey and continue to learn from the wealth of coaching talent around the football club.”
Warren will take the title of Head of Professional Academy from the beginning of next month.
County’s first intake into the set-up will involve four existing young players on their books, with future expansion likely from their Highlands and Islands catchment area.
First team manager Malky Mackay, as the Scottish FA’s past performance director, was instrumental in the success of the performance schools set-up.
It has so far been credited with helping over 40 talented girls and boys progress to professional contracts within Scottish football.
Mackay said: “I got the dossier across my desk and saw what a fantastic addition Gary will be. It can only help us go from strength to strength with our youth group, most of whom are aged 16.
“Clearly we don’t have the ability to have a performance school up here, but I’m massive on the benefits of performance schools and what they’ve done for the game in Scotland.
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“Gary coming in to focus on that is another really good step forward for the club.”
County’s academy manager Gordon Duff believes creating a hybrid environment for young players to develop while pursuing work and education opportunities can have huge benefits in bridging the difficult gap between under 18s football and the first team.
He said: “We are delighted to welcome Gary to Ross County and back in the Highlands. This is an exciting time for us in taking the next step to develop players within our academy.
“We have created a bespoke programme which allows players to not only receive more contact time on pitch but also allows them to carry on in their educational journey.
“It is our belief that this programme will grow and develop over time, and we feel that it is the right time to implement this exciting project with our Under 18 players.
“We want to keep pushing them to maximise their potential and aid them as they continue their development at Ross County.”
