Iain Diack believes youngsters from EK Thistle’s development squad could play an important role in the first-team next season.
The under-20’s side has been accepted into the Lowland League conference D next season in a major boost to the Jags.
Boss Diack faced an injury crisis on Saturday against Duncanrig with only six first-team players available.
The 40-year-old had to draft in some of his under-20 squad and Diack was delighted with their performances in the 1-0 win.
He said: “We’ve only got eleven first-team players signed at the moment and the rest are trialists.
“We only had six first-team players available on Saturday so we played a good few of the young boys and they played really well.
“They took instruction really well considering I’m not their usual manager. They all worked really hard and they showed all the qualities that you want to see from younger players.
“They showed fantastic attitudes, good technical skills and it looks promising for the future.
“They’ve been accepted into the development league which is important for us.
“It’s pretty much all set-up now and the coaches just have to finalise the squad but they’ve got the nucleus of a team.
“There are a few good young players in the squad and it’ll be interesting to see how they develop.”
EK Thistle aren’t in action this weekend with a host of players missing and Scotland facing England in EURO 2020 on Friday night.
Diack added: “We’ve pre-empted the situation because people will be wanting to watch the Scotland game.
“I thought it was probably best to allow people to do that and enjoy the occasion. We will watch the game on Friday then go again Monday back at training.”
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