Clydesdale Bank Under 19 League
Clydesdale Bank would like to offer its congratulations to Rangers Football Club Under 19s who are this season's Clydesdale Bank Under 19 League winners.
Rangers' goalless draw at Murray Park against Motherwell on 18th April ensured the title would remain with the Ibrox side for a second successive season.
Manager Billy Kirkwood said: "It feels great to win the league again. The boys have done fantastically well…I think we fully deserve to be Champions".
Rangers Under 19 Captain, Andrew Shinnie, was equally delighted: "All the players in the 19s have worked really hard this season and proved that we are the best team in the country".
Rangers rounded off an exceptional season by winning the Scottish Youth Cup final to complete the double.
Clydesdale Bank Graduation Award
For the U19s players who have come through the ranks and do make it to the first team, it’s a big moment, and we’re going to congratulate them with the CB Graduation Award. You can find out who’s the first to “graduate” here on cbfootball.co.uk, and how they got on in their first first team appearance.
Clydesdale Bank U19 league graduation award
Heart of Midlothian Striker Gary Glen has been named as the inaugural Clydesdale Bank Under 19 League Graduate.
Gary, 18, made his full debut for Hearts on Saturday 19th April 2008 at Tynecastle, scoring the second goal in their 3-2 victory over St Mirren.
Gary, from Livingston, West Lothian, came through the ranks at Hearts since joining in 2006 with the club announcing yesterday that the promising youngster has signed a new four year contract tying him to the club until 2012.
He has had an excellent season in the Clydesdale Bank Under 19 League and SPL Reserve League with a string of impressive performances leading to his full debut in the senior side.
The Graduation Award is presented to any Clydesdale Bank Under 19 League player who makes a positive contribution to his side in his full first team debut.
Clydesdale Bank Rising Star
Football can be an expensive business, so any team that can bring in some talent from their youth teams, who can make it in the first team, will be very pleased!
All the Clydesdale Bank Premier League teams have great youth set ups, and we’re going to recognise some of the rising stars from the U19s, giving you some information on the players that could be your heroes of the future.
Under 19 rising star award for March
St Mirren Defender Sean Crighton has been named Clydesdale Bank Premier League Under 19 Rising Star for March.
Sean, 18, featured in all four of St Mirren’s Under 19 League games in March, leading the side to victories over Gretna and Hibernian. He was an ever present in the St Mirren Under 19 squad this season, making 18 appearances, and captained his the club throughout the second half of the campaign.
On accepting his award Sean commented:
“I’m really pleased. I’ve moved back this season from centre midfield to centre defence and my game’s really improved. I feel as if I’ve got a lot more consistency recently and done well. My aim now is to go on and break into the reserves and obviously I’d love to play first team football.”
Under 19 rising star award for February
Aberdeen Defender Ryan Strachan has been named Clydesdale Bank Premier League Under 19 Rising Star for February*.
Ryan, also comfortable in midfield, has been in excellent form, helping Aberdeen to February victories over Kilmarnock and Motherwell. Ryan rounded off his month with the man of the match award in the win over Motherwell.
Ryan, 17, was rewarded for his excellent season so far when he was named in the travelling party for Aberdeen’s recent UEFA Cup tie against Bayern Munich.
On accepting his award Ryan commented:
“I'm pleased with my form at the moment and the team as a whole are playing well. It's always good to get noticed by your coaches at the club and across the league as a whole.”
The Under19 Rising Star award is a monthly award voted for by the Under 19 coaches at each of the 12 Clydesdale Bank Premier League clubs. Coaches nominate a man of the match from the opposing team for all of their Under 19 League matches. At the end of each month, the player with the most nominations wins the Under 19 Rising Star award.
* The February award takes into account February’s fixtures and any fixtures played during the Clydesdale Bank Under 19 League’s winter break during December and January.
Under 19 rising star award for November
Gretna Forward Liam Cusack has been named Clydesdale Bank Premier League Under 19 Rising Star for November. Liam had a fine month for his club in the Under 19 League and was nominated by the opposing coach as man of the match in two of his three games in November, scoring in the 4-2 defeat to Hibs. In addition to his good league form, Liam also netted in Gretna’s 5-1 SFA Youth Cup 3rd round victory over Ayr United.
On accepting his award Liam commented:
“We only had a couple of league games last month, so it’s good to know that I was recognised in both. It’s the first award I’ve had at this level, so I’m really pleased to win it.”
Bob Patterson, Youth Education and Welfare Officer, and Under19 coach said:
“He’d be one of my picks. The staff here are really pleased with Liam, he’s a committed lad and he definitely deserves the award.”
Andy Smith, First Team Coach added:
“There are lots of good young players in the SPL Under19 league and for Liam to get this award is fantastic. I know Brooks Mileson was very proud to see Liam win it, and is pleased with the way things are going at Under 19 level.”
Liam, from Glasgow, has had an eventful campaign so far, playing an influential part in Gretna’s inaugural season in the Clydesdale Bank U19 League. The award is also deserved recognition of Liam’s recent return to form after a period out with a broken metatarsal.
The Under19 Rising Star award is a monthly award voted for by the Under 19 coaches at each of the 12 Clydesdale Bank Premier League clubs. Coaches nominate a man of the match from the opposing team for all of their Under 19 League matches. At the end of each month, the player with the most nominations wins the Under 19 Rising Star award.
Hibs youngster scoops Clydesdale Bank U19 Rising Star Award
Jack Wilson of Hibernian FC has been named Clydesdale Bank Under 19 Rising Star for October. Jack had a fine month, putting in strong performances against both halves of the Old Firm as well as away at Motherwell. These performances didn’t go unrecognised, as Jack picked up the man of the match nomination from opposing coaches in all three games.
Jack joined Hibs from Loanhead Boys Club and has made his mark on the team as a strong tackling creative midfielder. Hibs are currently sitting third in the U19 League with Jack’s goals, six in all competitions, playing a major part in their season so far. Jack’s good performances in the U19 League have also lead to a recent call up to the reserves as he looks to work his way up through the ranks and impress Boss John Collins.
On accepting his award, Jack commented:
“I’ve had a couple of good months now and I’m pleased with how things are going. I think Hibs are the best club in Scotland for a young player to be at and I know that if I do well I’ll get my chance here”.
Hibs’ Under 19 Coach, Alistair Stevenson, added:
“Jack has been playing really well. There have been a number of good performances throughout our side over recent weeks and it’s good to see that recognised”.
The winner of the Rising Star award was decided by the U19 coaches, all voting for a man of the match after each of their league fixtures.
Clydesdale Bank Premier League under 19 rising star award for September
Kilmarnock forward Scott Anson has been named Clydesdale Bank Premier League Under 19 Rising Star for September. Scott had a fine month in the Under 19 League and was nominated by the opposing coach as man of the match in each of his three games in September.
On accepting his award Scott commented:
"I'm pleased to win the award and it's good to hear other coaches have been recognising my performances. I played in a couple of different positions and managed to score against St Mirren so I'm happy with how things went last month".
Scott, from Cumbernauld, joined Kilmarnock in 2006 from Hamilton Accies and cited the opportunity to join a Premier League club where many youngsters get the chance of first team football as too good to turn down. Scott's form has also been noted at international level and he featured in the Scotland Under 19 squad's recent trip to Iceland.
The Under 19 Rising Star award is a monthly award voted for by the Under 19 coaches at each of the 12 Clydesdale Bank Premier League clubs. Coaches nominate a man of the match from the opposing team for all of their Under 19 League matches. At the end of each month, the player with the most nominations wins the Under 19 Rising Star award.
Falkirk youngster scoops inaugural Clydesdale Bank Rising Star Award
Mark Staunton of Falkirk FC has been named Clydesdale Bank U19 Rising Star for August. Mark was instrumental in his side’s wins over Celtic and St Mirren last month and also put in strong performances away to Rangers and Dundee United.
The winner of the U19 Clydesdale Bank Rising Star award was decided by the U19 coaches, all voting for a man of the match after each of their league fixtures.