Clydesdale Bank Under 19 League - Season 09/10

Celtic win U19 League

Celtic's young stars were presented with the Clydesdale Bank U19 League trophy at Celtic Park on Saturday 1st May during the half-time interval of the first-team match against Motherwell.

Celtic, coached by Tommy McIntyre and Stephen Frail, clinched the U19 title the previous weekend and followed it up by defeating Rangers 2-0 at Hampden to lift the SFA Youth Cup.

They completed their Clydesdale Bank U19 League programme with a 2-0 victory over Hearts on Friday

Clydesdale Bank International tournament

Motherwell’s U19 team were the winners of the Clydesdale Bank International Tournament, held on the weekend of 13/14 February 2010 in Guernsey.

Clydesdale Bank organised this tournament and invited U19 teams from Hamilton Academical and Motherwell to the island to take part in a round robin tournament with local team Guernsey Athletics, and Jersey Scottish.

It was a good couple of days of football, showcasing the SPL’s U19 league. The tournament kicked off on Saturday with Hamilton drawing 0-0 with Jersey Scottish, followed by a 1-0 win for Motherwell over Guernsey, Gary Smith scoring the only goal.

Motherwell’s second match saw them beat Jersey Scottish 2-0, with goals from a trialist and Ross McKinnon, while Hamilton striker David Hopkirk scored in the 1-1 draw with Jersey Scottish.

The second day of the tournament provided plenty of goals as Guernsey Athletics beat Jersey Scottish 4-0, and Motherwell securing their place at the top of the table with a 3-1 win over Hamilton Accies.

Motherwell U19 captain Peter Innes collected the tournament trophy from James Blower, Managing Director of Clydesdale Bank International.

Tournament league table

Pictures courtesy of Chris George Photography.

Clydesdale Bank U19 Rising Star award

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.

Dale Hilson - Dundee United

Just days after being crowned the Clydesdale Bank Under-19 League Player of the Season, Dale Hilson of Dundee United was back at Tannadice to receive his second individual honour of the 2009/10 season – the latest Clydesdale Bank Under-19 League Rising Star award.

Originally from Stirling, Dale joined United as a youth player before signing pro for the SPL side in January 2009. Since then, the 17-year-old has continued to develop into a formidable striker scoring 14 goals in the clubs 19 Clydesdale Bank Under-19 League matches this season.

On receiving his award Dale said: “It’s always pleasing to win an award but to pick up two like this in a week is a great achievement! I’ve been getting plenty of congratulations from the boys but I’m sure I’ll get some stick in the dressing room soon. It’s all just banter though – we have a really good team spirit here at United.”

Commenting on his improved form this year the striker was quick to praise his team mates and the Dundee United coaching staff: “Going full time last January has probably been the main reason behind my good form this year. When you get more time day-in-day-out to work with the high-quality coaches we have here at the club you’re obviously going to improve quicker. “

Just like the first team we’ve had a great season this year and that’s down to the performance of the whole U19 squad not just a couple of players – it’s a team game after all.”

Talking about his aspirations for the future Hilson said: “I’d obviously love to be more involved with the first team but the squad is really strong just now and doing really well so I need to be realistic. I’m just happy to keep working hard with the U19s to develop my game so that whenever I’m asked to step up I’m ready to take my chance.”

The Clydesdale Bank Under-19 Rising Star award is an award voted for by the Under-19 coaches at each of the 12 Clydesdale Bank Premier League clubs. Following each U19 league fixture, coaches nominate a man of the match from their own team as well as one from their match day opponents. The Under-19 player who receives the most votes in the designated time period is recognised with a Clydesdale Bank Under 19 League Rising Star Award.

Daniel McKay - Kilmarnock FC

Kilmarnock’s Daniel McKay has been named the first Clydesdale Bank Under 19 League Rising Star of the 2009/10 season.

Born in Paisley, Daniel joined Killie as a youth player from Barrhead Boys Club before signing pro for the SPL side in July 2007. Since then, the 18 year old has continued to develop into a formidable striker scoring seven goals in the club’s first eight Clydesdale Bank Under 19 League matches – the second highest individual tally in the league. /p>

Commenting on McKay’s impressive early season form, Kilmarnock FC U19 Coach Alan Roberston said:

“Daniel has been a constant threat for us and continues to play an important role in the team. Of course there are one or two areas of his game he still needs to work on but his goal scoring record this year has been very impressive – long may it continue!”

On receiving his award Daniel said:

“This is the first time I’ve won anything at Under 19 level, I’m really pleased, it’s a good achievement. I’ve been at Killie a long time now, and the coaches here have helped me develop and improve, as have the players around me. My goal is the same as anyone at my level, to get into the first team, so I need to keep working hard so I can impress those higher up and get into the squad, then show I can score goals at that level too.”