Whether you support a League Two side like Dumbarton or you regularly frequent major Scottish Premiership matches at stadiums like Celtic Park, fans love to see youngsters breaking into the first team fold. In fact, you can’t beat it.
Not only do young players bring a sense of energy that a journeyman almost certainly won’t, but they also represent a genuine money-making opportunity for clubs in Scotland that require financial help. Of course, all football fans want their clubs to hold on to any rising stars for as long as possible, but there’s also a realisation in Scotland that if a major club from England comes calling, then a substantial fee for an emerging talent will probably be impossible to turn down.
Despite this exact scenario happening on numerous occasions, most recently with Aberdeen right-back Calvin Ramsay joining Liverpool for £6.5m, there is still a general opinion south of the border that Scottish football isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. While the title race is hard to predict when it comes to football betting, with Celtic currently priced at 4/9 and Rangers at 13/8, there is no denying just how much talent is emerging from Scotland. In reality, despite what fans outside of Scotland might think, a conveyor belt of rising stars are leaving Scottish football fans excited for the future. Let’s take a look at some of them below.
Alex Lowry - Rangers
A player Rangers fans are excited about in particular, Alex Lowry (pictured) is a classy midfield player with bags of ability. Starring for Rangers B before Gio van Bronckhorst was installed as manager of the Scottish giants, Lowry is expected to play a more prominent role for Rangers this season. Aged 19, should the former Lowland League player continue to improve at the rapid rate that he is currently doing so, then anything is possible for the gifted Scot.
Charlie McArthur - Newcastle United
After recently joining Newcastle United, Charlie McArthur is another Scottish youngster with a seemingly bright future ahead of him. His former club, Kilmarnock, understandably couldn’t fight off interest from mega-rich Newcastle United for the Scotland U17 captain, with the gifted centre-back previously being linked with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City. While game time will be limited for McArthur at Newcastle United this season, he’s one who will surely be an integral figure for the Magpies’ under-18 side in the 2022/23 campaign.
Ben Doak - Liverpool
Connor Barron - Aberdeen
Aberdeen is a club that appears to be producing a number of youngsters with ability, and Connor Barron is the latest one off the conveyor belt. A combative midfielder, his breakthrough campaign last season resulted in numerous interest over the summer. With the Dons seemingly being able to keep hold of their talented 19-year-old, first team appearances are expected to be on the increase this season. Should Barron keep showcasing his undoubted potential, though, then Aberdeen will surely have to sell up eventually.
Other Scottish wonderkids to follow includes Nathan Patterson (Everton), Aaron Hickey (Brentford), Kerr Smith (Aston Villa), Lewis Fiorini (Manchester City), and Rory Wilson (Aston Villa).