Hamilton Accies kids must learn from Molde experience, says academy chief

George Cairns believes Hamilton Accies Under-19s can get something from their UEFA Youth League clash against Molde tonight – but reckons they will ‘win’ from the experience, either way.

The young Accies side go into the second round, second leg match at New Douglas Park tonight with a 3-0 deficit from Norway, an that is obviously a big task to turn around.

But academy chief Cairns says what his kids learn from the experience will stand them in good stead, even if they don’t progress further in the competition.

And he says they will make everybody at the club proud, either way.

Cairns said: “It’s experience for young footballers. They’re playing at the highest level, the highest tournament a kid at that age could play, in the UEFA Youth League.

“It’s a huge achievement and the kids need to go and enjoy it, see what they can take out of it.

“Some people look at the score and think ‘that’s an uphill task’ but what people don’t realise is that although it’s under-19s, three of their players in the middle of the park are 2004s.

“That’s nearly two and a half years older than my kids, so straight away, you’re giving away an age advantage.

“I still think we can get something out of the game, I’m always positive, you’re back at your home park, so go out and try and see if you can get something.

“But taking part is fantastic, and it’s trying to learn from these occasions that’s important.

“What can you learn from it, what can you do to learn from it, and that’s the bit you try and give the kids, and hopefully you’re educating them on a different style of football and a different format – how do they cope with that.”

Cairns points out that Molde youngster Niklas Odegard was on the bench for their Europa League defeat against Bayer