Scotland call-ups show Dundee United’s youth programme is coming of age

Dundee United’s chairman says the effect of the club’s investment in youth is becoming clearer every day.

Four Tangerines have been named in the latest Scotland Under-21 squad and Stephen Thompson believes that recognition proves the club were right to make a major investment in their youth programme.

United have doubled the amount of money spent on the youth set-up in recent years and it is paying dividends, with manager Peter Houston selecting more and more youngsters.

That has had a knock-on effect at national level with Scotland Under-21 manager Billy Stark naming Stuart Armstrong, Scott Allan, Johnny Russell and keeper Marc McCallum in his squad for next month’s games with Luxembourg and Austria.

United have the biggest representation with the exception of Rangers and Thompson insists that shows the club are heading the way.

He said: “It’s great that so many of our players are being recognised by the international set-up. It also says a lot about the work done by Peter and his coaching staff.”