Steve Clarke took over as Scotland head coach in 2019 and vowed to get the country back to a major finals. He’s managed it twice, both at European Championship finals.
It’s no mean feat, albeit both were a damp squib with Scotland wheezing their way to an early exit on each occasion without really landing a punch on, well, anyone.
The squad has continued to evolve under Clarke, with the dial starting to turn towards the future with younger players coming in over the past year.
But where has been the stream of young talent coming through the age groups?
The Scottish FA has seven performance schools, a scheme that was introduced in 2012 for the cream of Scotland’s young talent to learn, grow and flourish.
Last month, the SFA announced their closure.
Of the Scotland team in Germany at last summer’s Euros, Billy Gilmour was the only performance school graduate, having attended Grange Academy in Kilmarnock.
As well as the SFA, some Scottish clubs also have their own school partnerships, including Celtic, Dundee, Dundee United, Hearts and Rangers.
For example, Celtic’s partnership with St Ninian’s in Kirkintilloch can include Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston, Aaron Hickey, Jack Hendry and Ben Gannon-Doak as alumni.
But given the SFA’s scheme is stopping just as the first cohort are in their mid-20s, it’s hardly blockbusting figures.
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