Ross County manager remains unconvinced by Scottish Conference idea
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Malky Mackay believes the proposed new fifth tier of Scottish football – a Conference League – still need to be fleshed out more to make it workable.
The Ross County manager had youth development as a major focus during his time as the Scottish FA’s performance director.
Over the last week, proposals have been put forward that would see the top Lowland League and Highland League sides parachuted into a new fifth tier, along with Colts teams.
The clubs wishing to enter Colts sides would contribute a six-figure sum to get the league off the ground, but it is not a route Mackay has elected for with Ross County.
Instead, he has used the loan market, sending several players out to the Highland League where many have been able to progress and make their mark in senior football.
Mackay appreciates that different clubs will have different tactics and preferences for creating a pathway, but he is yet to be convinced by what he has seen get put on the table for a proposed Conference League.
“Having been involved in nearly two years of a working party, with all parties in Scottish football, it’s not easy to reach an agreement,” Mackay reasoned.
“Every club has its own way of working, and its own finances. Some would like to go down the route of a colts team, while some would like to go down the route of loaning players out, and some would like to go into a reserve league.
“It shows there is no one way for all teams, and different ways that suit the pathway of youths in going from academies into first teams.
“We are really fortunate at Ross County to have seen and felt the Highland League. It has been a terrific situation for the young ones we have that were ready to come out of the academy.
“I can see certain clubs’ will to put a colts team into a league. When I look at that, I sometimes see that certain players are signed that will never have a chance of playing in that first team.
“They can be signed just to fill a jersey in a team for a period of time, which I don’t think does anybody any good.
“Only having seen what I have read, to have Highland, Lowland and SPFL teams in the league together – I think there are an awful lot of questions that need to be fleshed out for that one to be anywhere near something that is right.”
