Three Youth Players to Watch: Scottish League One

In part two of our investigation into which promising Scottish youth players you should be keeping an eye on this season, YFS shines the spotlight on Scotland’s third tier…

Justin Devenny (Airdrieonians)

The 18-year-old midfielder made the permanent switch to the Excelsior Stadium this summer, after spending the second-half of last season on loan from Kilmarnock.

On signing with the Diamonds, Devenny reflected on his loan spell with the club, admitting that he would’ve “liked to have played more”, however, that he is hopeful this season will be the one that sees him “go and kick on”.

It is fair to say that the midfielder has proved to be a shrewd signing by player-manager Rhys McCabe with the youngster hitting the net in the first three competitive matches of the season, opening the scoring in a 3-0 and 2-0 victory over Cowdenbeath and St. Mirren respectively as well as equalising in a 1-1 draw against FC Edinburgh in Group E of the Scottish League Cup.

That form has continued into the opening set of league matches, with an assist in the opening 2-0 win against Peterhead, emphaising how he’s thriving and developing under McCabe.

At the time of writing; Airdrie are the early pacesetters in the League One table and if Devenny further utilises his talent, he could be  instrumental in what the North Lanarkshire side achieve come May.

Euan Cameron (Clyde)

The 20-year-old midfielder signed a one-year deal in July for the Bully Wee, having begun his career at Partick Thistle before spending last season in the Lowland League with Gretna 2008.

Cameron caught the eye of manager Danny Lennon having featured as a trialist in a Glasgow Cup match last season as well as their pre-season schedule, which convinced the ex-St. Mirren boss to offer the youngster a contract.

The midfielder has impressed so far under Lennon’s tutelage having scored in both their opening 4-1 victory away to Queen of the South and 3-0 win over Kelty Hearts, thus contributing to the Bully Wee’s best league start in 11 years.

Clyde have had a decent start to their League One campaign and at this moment in time, there is for the Bully Wee faithful to be pleased about and indeed for Cameron who looks to be a prosperous addition to the squad.

Lewis McCann (Dunfermline Athletic)

The 21-year-old is no stranger to the club having put pen to paper on his first professional contract in May 2018 at the age of 16.

Having suffered relegation from the Championship last season, new manager James McPake only remit is to secure the club’s immediate return to the second tier and he has seemingly unlocked a hidden gem in McCann.

The Northern Ireland U21 international has hit the net on five occasions so far this season, three in the League Cup Group Stage and more recently a brace in a 3-0 victory over FC Edinburgh.

McCann has featured in all of the starting line-ups so far this season, emphaising that he has earned McPake’s trust to lead his back-line, in what has been a bright start for the forward under the former Dundee boss.

The Pars are heavy title favourites and after a season hampered by injury, McCann looks to be enjoying life at East End Park, so he will surely be aiming to develop even further and propel the club back to the Championship.