Charlie Christie: Inverness Caley Thistle are bucking the trend with fielding youth players
For anyone with an interest in youth player development in football, last Saturday’s ‘El Classico’ between Real Madrid and Barcelona was a mouth-watering affair.
Not only did Hansi Flick’s Barca side go to the home of their bitter rivals and destroy ‘Los Blancos’ by four goals to nil they did it with an incredible 12 academy graduates in their squad – six of whom started the match.
At a time when Scottish football is ruminating on a recent hard-hitting report from the Scottish Football Association on the lack of game time throughout our leagues for under 21 players the Catalan team showed that ‘if you’re good enough you’re old enough’ as their high-risk/high energy approach paid the richest of rewards.
Once again, the star of the show was Lamine Yamal who, at just over 17 years of age, became the youngest ever scorer in the famed derby when he notched the third goal in the 77 th minute after a Robert Lewandowski double had set them on their way early in the second half.
Incredibly Yamal wasn’t the only youngster to start the match for Barca as central defender Pau Cubarsi also just turned 17 in 2024 and it is quite incredible to note that he has already played 30 times for the club who currently sit six points clear at the top of La Liga.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle also bucked the trend in Scottish football last weekend when we listed seven academy graduates under the age of 21 in our squad for the match at Dumbarton.
There is no question that entering administration forced the club’s hand and the release of several players last week was one of the most difficult periods I’ve ever witnessed at the club but if there is any ‘silver lining’ it will surely be that the young players at our club should now be given an opportunity to shine.
It will not be easy for those young players who will need to be determined, brave and take the challenge full on but it is also a huge opening for them to show exactly why the academy coaches at the club saw potential in them.
Often in life adversity can bring out the best in us and I sincerely hope that is the case with these young players who have talent but will need to show a maturity beyond their years to make their mark at this most challenging of times.
What can undoubtedly help both them and the team is for the city of Inverness to get behind a club that has given so much to the area over thirty incredible years. Thousands have enjoyed our promotions, league wins, cup finals, Scottish Cup triumph and European football and it would be fitting if, in this time when they are most needed, they could see it to get behind the club once again.
