09-02-2021, 09:27 AM
Never really had it explained to me like this before. I remember when Hearts and other clubs had Reserve Teams. No one in Scotland has these anymore. No one. We all have U18s I think it is where you're allowed to field two over 18 players.
This means as our academy players reach 18 Hearts have no facility to offer them football. Unless they're into the first team squad. Or permanently one of the two over 18s allowed. But then they only get to keep playing against 17 and 18 year olds and don't kick on.
This is why Rangers and Celtic bought acceptance of their Colt Teams into the lower leagues, which despite the young name, can now act as Reserve Teams. Think it only cost them £50k.
I didn't agree at the time but given they're both in, Hearts should buy our way in too. This is why the mad scramble to loan out Stone, Henderson and others. As it is our Academy for all its funding has no conveyor belt beyond 18 years old.
This means as our academy players reach 18 Hearts have no facility to offer them football. Unless they're into the first team squad. Or permanently one of the two over 18s allowed. But then they only get to keep playing against 17 and 18 year olds and don't kick on.
This is why Rangers and Celtic bought acceptance of their Colt Teams into the lower leagues, which despite the young name, can now act as Reserve Teams. Think it only cost them £50k.
I didn't agree at the time but given they're both in, Hearts should buy our way in too. This is why the mad scramble to loan out Stone, Henderson and others. As it is our Academy for all its funding has no conveyor belt beyond 18 years old.