Thistle U20s boss praises side's maturity - showing positive outlook for future

The new look side - which can provide a stepping stone to the senior squad - was supposed to launch in 2020/21 season but unfortunately never materialised because of the pandemic.
Nixon is now making plans for next season with the hope that training and pre-season matches can resume in the summer - and believes the future is bright.
He said: "We have kept the boys ticking over and we are in frequent contact.
"Hopefully with the recent announcement by the Scottish government and vaccinations things can slowly return to normal.
"It would be good to get to a safe place where training can return and we could have some friendlies and pre-season; that is certainly the hope.
"Whatever happens it has got to be the right thing to do for the club and the wider community and if the virus is still about there is no point risking people's health.
"We had 23 signed players for this season and we were really happy - three of our boys were promoted to the first team.
"We had a squad full of players and with that bit extra bit of hard work they can prove themselves and try and get into Arnie's (Largs Thistle manager Stuart Davidson) team next season."
Due to the younger age profile, some players have had to come and go because of work commitments and couldn't commit. There is also college and university.
But Nixon said: "I have to say that from the pre-season the boys were really committed and there were consistent numbers at training."
One of the U20 players has held down a place in the first team in full back Sean McLeod. 
Nixon said: "Sean has been a stand-out from day one and both Arnie and I worked hard to get Sean in- he scored a peach of a goal against Cumbernauld United and also helped set up goals, and has been influential in the side.
"Sean has a solid work ethic and is a very coachable and intelligent player with a clever footballing brain - and he has highlighted it for the other boys that you can progress as Arnie is prepared to give you a chance if you work towards it.
"Andy Rutherford is another one for the future and if he keeps working hard he can do well too. He has really ramped up his fitness and is definitely one to watch in the future."
"I inherited Logan McLean who came in from the U17s and again he has bags of potential - in one of the friendlies we played he scored a hat-trick in the last half hour. Declan McIntyre is a very clever centre half and reads the game well and understands his position and how to organise.
"All the boys have potential and if they work hard and stay committed."
The U20s development squad managed three friendlies in total including a 2-2 draw against an very tough amateur side, and Nixon was particularly heartened by how his young squad were able to cope with the demands against some seasoned players: "We held our own and we had enough chances to win that game."

Another game against Dunoon saw goals scored by Chris Young and Logan McLean, and the third match against St Andrew's Boys Club saw Largs run riot as they chalked up an impressive 8-1 victory.
However, Largs have been left in limbo ever since which has been particularly tough on the young side.
Nixon said: "It is difficult on all the players but I have to praise them as all of them to a man have shown a level of maturity I haven't experienced in a young side before.
"They all completely understand that there is a bigger picture at play.
"Of course, we all miss the football training and we are desperate to play games but there is a level of understanding that we need to do the best thing by people's health and the country."
"They have all been an absolute example in following all the rules and doing everything asked for by our Covid co-ordinator Ryan Scott."
Football matches involved in the Under 20s were due to take place on Friday nights at Inverclyde Sports Centre.
Nixon said: "It is such a shame that we have missed out on that buzz on the Friday night but hopefully we can get it next season and that is something to look forward to.

"One of the other things that has been affected by the pandemic was that the squad were supposed to train side by side with the Largs Thistle senior side. Our players can learn a lot from training regularly twice a week and then the reward is the Friday night game under the floodlights."
Ian said he is hopeful that his young side can make an impact on the West of Scotland U20s league, and said: "We were flying under the radar but that suited us fine as I am confident in the squad of boys that we have assembled - and feel that they are able to compete and most importantly progress.

Ian added that he hopes the U20s would also act as a springboard for other opportunities from young first aiders and physios to match reporters and photographers to cover the matches.
He said: "We are all focussed on the youth and whether it is young people wanting to start out in a career in journalism or want to help out behind the scenes or in first aid or physio, we want to go forward as a professional club and provide help for people to progress their careers in future."
Contact the U20 club via here: www.largsthistle.org.uk/contact/ct/1063