Three Youth Players to Watch: Scottish Championship

In the third part of our investigation into young talent across the leagues, Callum Gibson reviews three youth players who are making a great impact in the Scottish Championship.

Max Anderson – Dundee, 21

So far in his career, Max Anderson has been a one-club man after signing his first professional contract with Dundee in 2019. After impressing in pre-season, Anderson was awarded his first league start against Hearts. After this Anderson would continue to impress and regularly see himself start first-team matches. He was also a part of the squad that won the premiership play-offs which awarded Dundee status in the top flight of Scottish football. To top it all off, Anderson was awarded the Dundee Isobel Sneddon young player of the year award. In the 21/22 season, Anderson saw himself get regular minutes in the topflight. Once again, he was awarded the Isobel Sneddon young player of the year award for the second year in a row. Now that Dundee finds themselves back in the Championship Anderson could play a key role in any success Dundee seeks this season.

Jamie Hamilton – Hamilton Academicals, 20

For only 20 years old Jamie Hamilton has experience well beyond his years. Throughout the years the young center-back has come through the youth ranks at Hamilton to eventually becoming an established first-team player, featuring in 27 Scottish premiership matches for the Lanarkshire based club. Following their relegation at the end of the 20/21 season, Jamie once again played a key part in Accies campaign. In the summer of 2022, Jamie Hamilton attracted serious interest from clubs down south. To the relief of many Accies fans the 20 year old decided to stay in Lanarkshire and sign a contract extension. With the 20 year old now coming into his third full season in professional football, the defender once again will be a crucial part of their campaign.

Darragh O’Connor – Morton, 23

O’Connor started out his career with league of Ireland side Wexford, before getting a dream move to premier league side Leicester. However, O’Connor struggled to get first team action there with all his games coming from the reserve team. In summer 2021 premiership side Motherwell signed the Irishman on a 1 year deal. Similar to the situation at Leicester the 23 year old failed to register regular minutes with the topflight club and in January was loaned out to Championship side Queen of the South. In his 15 games for the club the defender really found his form, and even being named in the SPFL team of the week on a few occasions. As the season came to an end O’Connor signed with championship side Greenock Morton. With previous experience at this level, a full season of first team football could really allow the Irishman to excel.