Brian Rice says Hamilton's kids being linked with big moves just shows they're doing something right as a club.
Jamie Hamilton is the latest name linked with English Premier League clubs, including Everton, but he joins kids like Lewis Smith and Ross Cunningham, who are already in that bracket.
Rice says that's the ethos of Hamilton Accies, and says it just means that he and Academy head George Cairns are doing the right things.
"That's what we're all about here at Hamilton," said Rice, "to produce, develop and eventually sell players on and reap the rewards of that.
"That's part and parcel of what keeps the club afloat, that's our DNA. There will be nobody more delighted if we can produce players and sell them, because we need more to come off the conveyor belt.
"It's my job, along with George Cairns, to make sure we keep producing these players, and make sure there's a pathway for them.
"We've got players like Ross Cunningham, Lewis Smith and Andy Winter, we've got other young ones out on loan. These are young football players who have their futures ahead of them, and I've got to make sure I give them the best opportunity I can to try and be a football player. That's what we do here at Hamilton."
On Jamie Hamilton, Rice said: "I've had a lot of phone calls from clubs, asking me about him, about his personality, why I think he is so good, and so on. I'm talking Premier League level. If somebody comes in with a really good offer... it's not for me to decide that.
"I just want the best players I can get on the pitch at Hamilton, and Jamie is one of them. Let's not forget, he's 17, he's playing in the Premiership and it hasn't fazed him, he's been absolutely outstanding.
"He is a kid, he will have ups and downs and people don't really understand that. It's mentally tiring, it's physically draining, and that's for seasoned pros, so it's even tougher for the young ones. You have to be really careful with the young ones that you don't give them too much, too young.
"Jamie is just the next one on that conveyor belt and he has to make sure he keeps his level of performance up, keeps his feet on the ground and keeps working hard, but he is the type of character who will do that."
