Ross County under-18s optimistic over chances of reaching Scottish Youth Cup semi finals in what head of youth development Gordon Duff admits will be biggest game of some players’ lives
Some of Ross County’s academy players will play the biggest game of their lives on Tuesday evening.
At least, that is the view of Staggies head of youth development Gordon Duff, who is set to take the club’s under-18s to Livingston early next week to play in the Scottish Youth Cup quarter finals.
Having already bypassed elite league outfits Motherwell and Hibernian away from home in this season’s competition, on paper Livingston should provide a simpler challenge.
They are in the same league as County, and the two teams have already faced each other multiple times this season.
However, with the added stakes of a Scottish Cup semi final spot being up for grabs, Duff is under no illusions about what this match could mean to his young charges.
“It’s the first time we’ve ever been in the quarter finals with the 18s,” he explained.
“Hopefully the boys have prepared right. We play Morton on Friday and then it’s the cup on Tuesday, so we’re raring to go.
“There will be boys who are disappointed not to start on Tuesday, but it’s also an occasion that could be the biggest game of their footballing career to date – or ever.
“We can’t win the league at this point, so since we came back from Christmas, cups have been the focus.
“We’re still in the Club Academy Cup as well, which is similar to the League Cup with group stages. We won our group, so we’re in the semi finals against Ayr at the end of February.
“That is our focus, as well as trying to integrate some of the under-16s up to see how they are doing – we’ll stretch the ones that need stretched, and drop the ones in that need it – and hopefully we can get to the semi finals.”
If the young Staggies need any extra motivation, they only have to look as far as County’s first team squad against Hibernian last weekend.
Three academy graduates, George Robesten, Andrew Macleod and Dylan Smith, played a part as the home side claimed a 1-1 draw against Hibernian in Dingwall.
That, Duff says, is proof to any youngsters currently in the youth set-up that there is a pathway through to senior football with County.
“There is definitely a pathway, and it’s getting stronger,” Duff added.
“That comes from the first team staff and the manager. We can provide the boys with a platform in the 18s and hone the skills that they need, but ultimately it comes down to the first team staff trusting them.
“With George, Andrew and Dylan playing last weekend hopefully they can sustain their levels and produce more positive performances in the top flight.”