Hamilton Accies' kids are alright as under-18s lift league title

Hamilton Accies Academy director George Cairns has hailed the club’s kids after they won the Club Academy Scotland Elite Under-18 League with a 3-2 derby win over Motherwell at New Douglas Park on Tuesday night.

Accies have the chance now to qualify for the Under-19 UEFA Youth League for the second time in five years.

Goals from Liam Morgan and Lewis Latona, and a Ben Black penalty gave Accies the win, when they only needed a point to clinch silverware.

Hamilton Accies were last in the UEFA Youth League in 2018, when they played against FC Basel and Midtjylland.

Accies have pipped clubs including Motherwell, Celtic, Aberdeen and Rangers to the Under-18 League title.

Cairns said: “It’s a tough league win, because it’s only elite clubs who are in it. There are nine clubs who tick the boxes for Club Academy Scotland, so you’re playing these guys four times.

“Celtic, Rangers, Dundee United, Hibs, Hearts – you’re playing the best in the country at that age level.

“The first time we won it there were a lot more clubs involved in it, but this one was limited to the nine elite clubs.

“Every one was a hard tie over nine months and it’s a great achievement.

“The kids have done fantastically well, and they made the Scottish Cup semi-finals as well.

“The kids have been magnificent, professional right to the end, and some of the results have been fantastic.”

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