I took my boy to Man Utd vs Liverpool but FA Cup epic left me fearing for Scottish football's future - Ryan Stevenson

It was the Theatre of Dreams for me and my oldest lad on Sunday and what a game it was.

Manchester United and Liverpool served up an FA Cup tie that was befitting of Old Trafford’s famous nickname. But seeing my boy watching with wonder as the 4-3 extra-time thriller played out did leave me concerned about the reality for Scottish football’s future. Carter is 12 and United daft. He’s been on at me for ages to take him to see the Red Devils in action and his first trip down the road to see them play at home certainly didn’t disappoint.

He’s been to Tynecastle and Somerset Park plenty of times but Old Trafford is another ball game entirely. He couldn’t stop talking about the match the whole drive home and was still jabbering on about Amad Diallo’s last-gasp winner when he got up for school on Monday morning. It’s the type of moment that fires the imagination and I know that’s how Carter will feel about it. He’s a decent player and has had plenty offers to sign for some big club sides already. That’s a decision we’ll have to make over the next few months.

But I just wonder if there’s still the same number of kids who’d have watched that game on Sunday and responded like he did. And definitely how I would have as a kid. As a youngster, you never saw me without a ball at my feet. As soon as the school bell went at the end of the day I’d be out the door and down the local park for a kickabout with my mates. On a Saturday, my mum would pack me off with a sandwich and we’d spend the entire day down there booting shots at each other.

The only way you’d know it was time to head home was when the street lights came on. I’d come back caked in mud but would be made to strip at the back door and then do a sprint through the house in