Snub for Accies kids is a national disgrace

Sep 30 2007 ROB MACLEAN

DESPITE yesterday's 4-1 thrashing at St Johnstone, Hamilton fans have plenty to smile about.

But there's one thing about the Accies I just can't get my head around.

Why is a club that's strutting its stuff as a role model for youth development not getting any sort of international recognition?

I'm not suggesting that Alex McLeish should take a trip to New Douglas Park before picking his squad for next month's Hampden sellout against Ukraine.

But looking at the youngsters who have helped Hamilton to the top of the First Division I'm amazed none of them has been capped by Scotland at any level.

In the case of 16-year-old James McCarthy, who scored one of the goals which dumped Kilmarnock out of the CIS Cup on Tuesday night, there's a good reason for that.

The Irish selectors have already drafted him into their set-up because - like Celtic's Aiden McGeady - his family background gives him international alternatives.

James has represented Ireland at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 level although there's still nothing to stop Scotland stealing him away from the Irish.

He's a massive talent having made his debut for Accies at 15 and a lot of leading clubs are keeping tabs on him.

Celtic, Liverpool and Reading are just three of the teams willing to agree a deal which could eventually land Hamilton a million pounds.

Some respected football figures have told me McCarthy is better than Scott Brown was at 16 - and the Hibs midfielder was sold to Celtic for £4.4million in the summer.

But McCarthy is not the only youngster at Accies who's attracting interest.

Nineteen-year-old James McArthur, the other goalscorer in last week's big cup upset, hasn't gone unnoticed either.

He has already made more than 80 first-team appearances and a posse of SPL clubs are watching him.

Brian Easton is another 19-year-old who has made a big impression in the First Division and scouts are keeping tabs on him too.

James Gibson - there's a trend developing with that Christian name - is yet another target for bigger clubs and he's only 18.

It's great that Hamilton are holding on to their top talent despite predators prowling around. However, it's hugely surprising that none of these hitkids has yet worn the dark blue of Scotland.

Maybe if they were knocking about the Rangers or Celtic reserve teams, rather than featuring in the first team at a less fashionable location, they would have a better chance of a call-up.

Not that Billy Reid is bothered. The Hamilton manager is more than happy that his classy kids are fully focussed on club success.

And if the Lanarkshire club win the race for a place in the SPL at the end of the season it will be the ultimate victory for youth development.

If the First Division was all about wage bills Accies would be in seventh or eighth place.

I don't think anyone earns more than £500 a week and most of the players are paid considerably less.

Richard Offiong must be at the top of their pay structure as his eight goals have been the spark for Hamilton's league and cup heroics.

The former England Under-20 international, once a bright prospect at Newcastle, was looking doomed at Doncaster until his move north.

But chairman Ronnie MacDonald and his trusty sidekick Les Gray deserve most credit for their youth initiative.

They rescued Clyde from oblivion and are now repeating their salvage mission at Hamilton.

The hugely positive results at Accies don't come along by accident. They're a reward for four years of hard labour.

Six hundred youngsters from Under-11 upwards get football tuition from 28 coaches at the Hamilton football academy every week. The club has 14 youth teams.

What's happening now at top-team level is a direct result of the massive effort put into youth development.

And I'm told there's another batch of kids coming through who are as good as McCarthy, McArthur, Easton and Gibson. Maybe even better.

Ally Crawford was on the bench against Kilmarnock on Tuesday just three weeks after his 15th birthday. Grant Gillespie and Grant Evans are two others to look out for.

The Hamilton business model deserves to be copied by other clubs too eager to run before they can walk.

Accies have no debt and a self-financing stadium so they are ready to step up to the SPL.

They will upgrade their artificial pitch or replace it with grass if necessary. But there's nothing artificial about the Hamilton success story and it's time the SFA recognized that.