Hamilton Accies confirm former Sheffield United and Motherwell youth coach as Academy Director

Hamilton Accies have confirmed Gordon Young has been appointed as their new elite academy chief.

The former Motherwell manager and ex-Fir Park youth supremo takes over from George Cairns, who departed the club last week after an 18-year reign in charge of youth development which helped bring through top players including Bologna and Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson and Celtic midfielder James McCarthy.

Young was most recently assistant manager at Hartlepool and Cove Rangers alongside Paul Hartley, with spells as the No.2 of Latvia's national side in 2018 and at Hamilton's Championship rivals Falkirk.

As well as spending 13 years at Motherwell in a youth capacity, he was in caretaker charge of the Steelmen's first team in 2010 before taking on a role as youth manager at Sheffield United.

Gordon Young said: “I am delighted to be here and to be working with the terrific coaches & team here at Hamilton. The Academy here has a fantastic reputation and I’m looking forward to getting to work. I was particularly impressed with the direction the club want to go in and this is the type of project that excites me.”

Speaking on the appointment, Director Of Football Gerry Strain said: “After an extensive review of all areas of our club over the last 12 months, and in fully taking on board the #NewEra vision of the owner, Seref [Zengin, the owner] and myself are delighted to welcome Gordon Young to the club and we are very much looking forward to working with him.

“Our Academy has a terrific reputation of bringing through young players into both the first team here at Hamilton but also into the wider scope of Scottish football and beyond. His experience in the game & with working with young players across the country will be