GUS MACPHERSON insists Queen's Park will continue to produce stars of the future despite losing their SFA Elite Youth status this season.

In the week that former Spider Andy Robertson clinched a £3million move to Hull, the Hampden hierarchy have decided the League Two club do not merit a place at the top level of youth football.

The SFA ruled Queen's do not provide a pathway to full-time football.

It is a decision unlikely to change while the club stick to their amateur roots by opting not to pay their players.

Robertson is not the only former QP kid to shine on the big stage, with Blair Spittal and Aidan Connolly now at Dundee United and Lawrence Shankland on the books of Aberdeen.

MacPherson said: "It is a disappointment but the club has always developed players and will continue to do so.

"Someone would need to tell me what 'elite' is.

"It is all about developing players and Queen's Park has done that for a number of years, and even before they were in the elite programme.

"The quality will still be there within the coaching and the opportunities will still be there for players to progress here.

"Ultimately, it will come down to the desire of the kids that are coming through the system.

"I don't think it will affect the staff or coaches.

"They will continue to do what they have been doing and will continue to bring players through."

After starting their campaign with a defeat to Berwick Rangers, QP are back in friendly action this afternoon after their League Cup clash with Rangers was postponed.

But MacPherson ­insists the Commonwealth Games have not thrown a spanner in the Spiders' summer preparations.

He said: "We have got a bounce game arranged.

"It is a bit frustrating but we got plenty of notice when the draw was made that that is what we would have to do.

"We have known what to expect as a result of the Games and we have been able to plan our pre-season accordingly."