Aberdeen legend Barry Robson thinks Derek McInnes deserves credit for playing Academy players and admits that it has been a “brave” decision by the Dons boss.
Connor McLennan, Dean Campbell, Ethan Ross, Frank Ross and Bruce Anderson have all been involved with the first-team throughout the campaign – and told how the Dons boss is constantly asking about the youngsters.
Robson works with both the first-team and youth sides at Pittodrie and insists there’s always been a good talent coming through and they are now getting their reward.
“For me, it’s more Derek – he’s brave to put the young lads in,” Robson told the Press and Journal.
“There’s always been a good line of young players here. In the first few years, it was maybe about getting one or two more experienced boys in to get the club back where it should be.
“But now you can see Derek putting them in and he’s constantly asking about them.”
McInnes has a number of other young players in his squad such as Scott McKenna, Lewis Ferguson and Max Lowe as he puts his faith in youth.
With the Dons taking part in the Europa League again next season, it’ll be a great opportunity for the young players to build up experience of hostile environments totally different from those they sample in Scotland.
McInnes will be hoping that exposing his young stars to first-team football that they can help the Pittodrie side push up the table next season after this term’s fourth-place finish.