SFA chief football officer Craig Mulholland is gathering 30 of the country's top agents for a summit at Hampden today to discuss his plans to boost production of Scotland's next generation of stars and the best way to keep them north of the border.
The governing body's chief football officer has been tasked with getting more homegrown youngsters playing in the Premiership. Last month, he invited clubs from around the country for a high-level sit-down in St Andrews so he could present his blueprint for change.
Proposed Rule Changes
The proposals include rule changes that would force clubs to field Scottish kids in both league and Scottish Cup action. Mulholland also recognises that he must get agents on board with his agenda if he is to halt the drain of talent to England's cash-rich academies.
That is why he has invited a group of top player representatives to the national stadium for today's lunch and presentation session as he bids to get the backing of stakeholders from across the game.
Agents' Role in Youth Development
The wide-ranging discussion will focus not only on the rule changes that will be put to a vote at next month's SPFL AGM but also on other ways in which agents can help young Scots break through the glass ceiling that keeps the vast majority of kids from becoming first-team regulars.
Mulholland is facing a race against time to get clubs on board with his plan for youth development and is already preparing to water down some aspects to ensure he gets the required 11-1 majority needed from Premiership clubs.
Club Concerns and Adjustments
Reports last week claim some teams are unsure about proposals requiring bosses to play Under-21 players for an average of 60 minutes per game in the league. It is thought that at least three top flight outfits raised concerns, which has forced Mulholland into a partial rethink.
Failing to get his first big initiative off the ground would be a blow for the ex-Rangers academy chief, who was only appointed to the Hampden role earlier this year. However, he is open to suggestions from clubs with concerns. One of those could be changing the age limit from Under-21s to Under-23s, while also looking at financial incentives.
