Ally McCoist reveals why the Jamie Vardy-style pathway from non-league to European heights is still alive and kicking

Ally McCoist reckons the romantic road from non-league rags to European riches still functions as a pivotal pathway for aspiring football talent.

The former Scotland and Rangers ace, 59, has loved monitoring Jamie Vardy, Ian Wright and – more recently – Ross Stewart’s rousing journeys through the ranks across a dedicated footballing lifetime.

Leicester hitman Vardy, 35, navigated his way from lowly Fleetwood to searing Premier League - and European – heights while Wright failed to fire on all goalscoring cylinders until a move from Greenwich Borough to Crystal Palace at the age of 21.

Sunderland striker Stewart, 25, received his first Scotland call-up this week after rising through the lower leagues and McCoist insists the avenue is still alive and kicking.

McCoist, who has teamed up with The National Lottery Football Weekends Campaign to celebrate local Football Clubs and the Communities they serve across the four home nations, said: “The pathway is 100 per cent still alive and possible.

“I genuinely do believe that pathway is still available - and I think if we lose that, we lose a massive part of the game.

“Jamie Vardy is the perfect example, Ian Wright was a late starter, while Ross Stewart for Scotland is another one who started at down the league and is now banging in loads of goals in at Sunderland.

“That avenue and that pathway is so, so important. Of course, the clubs have got their own programmes for the kids and I understand that totally – but not everybody develops at the same time.

“This is an avenue that should always, and hopefully will always, remain open to payers and ensure they always have an opportunity to make it all the way through the grades.”

McCoist was speaking from National League side