Kilmarnock's academy director Paul McDonald has heaped the praise on the club's youngsters after bagging silverware at the weekend.
The Under-17s scooped the Club Academy Scotland Cup with a thumping 4-0 win over St Johnstone.
An Aaron Brown double and goals from Lyle Holding and David Watson brought the cup back to Rugby Park.
And McDonald, who deals with the youth system from development squad down, was "over the moon".
Speaking to the Kilmarnock Standard, he said: "It was a resounding win, I was over the moon to see them get the job done.
"It has been a tough year for the lads. Due to the pandemic, they've missed a lot of football.
"It has been a challenge that's for sure but they've come through the other end and got a trophy in the bag.
"The result doesn't surprise me, they're a great bunch of lads, it's just so great to see.
"I'm delighted with the progress of the academy, it's going really well.
"The Under-18s were gutted to miss out on their Scottish Cup final last year; they deserved that final.
"But the fact a year on the Under-17s go and win a trophy, it just makes it even sweeter."
McDonald added: "It's constant at the academy, that final marked the end of the Under-17s season, but Monday was the start of the Under-18s.
"There is some great talent on show and I am enjoying seeing them progress as players."
And McDonald's focus is firmly on getting players ready for the step up to professional level.
He said: "The cup final was the icing on the cake, but the main thing for me is seeing players break into the first team.
"It is great to work with Tommy [Wright, manager], and it's amazing that he's actually taken half-a-dozen academy talents across to Northern Ireland to work with the first team.
"He is keen on youth development and he is showing the boys that there is a pathway through to the starting XI.
"As the academy director I love to see that, it's a great feeling."
He added: "The thing is, supplying the first team is important but so is developing players and selling them on.
"We sold Liam Smith to Manchester City so I think that shows the standards that we set here that these massive clubs are looking at us for players."
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