MALKY MACKAY made a number of interesting points about the mentality of our young players this week and John Rankin had his say on the next generation as well.

It would be unfair to put every kid in the same category, but there is no doubt that some players that are coming through do need to change their attitude if they are to make the most of their talents.

There are some that are just desperate to be footballers and they will do anything to make that happen. They will work hard, they stay after training, perhaps they even do too much sometimes, and they have the right mind set. They want to learn, they want to impress.

But there are others that get things far too easy and are happy to go do their training, get a shower and get away back down the road.

They should be saying to themselves ‘I am no good in the air’ or ‘my left foot is bad’ and be back in training in the afternoon to make themselves better. I don’t think enough do that.

Attitudes have changed over the years, certainly since I was a young player, and there are too many that are mollycoddled these days.

At 16, 17, 18, 19, you should be working your socks off every single day to give yourself the best chance. You have to learn and get better every time you pull on your boots.

To do that, you have to have the right attitude. There is no point having the ability if you don’t put in the hours.

The coaches can have a big part to play in changing that mind set. They have to know when to put their arm around somebody or when to give them a kick up the backside. That is the sign of a good youth coach.

Hopefully the words of Malky, John and the coaches across the country will resonate with the next generation of players and they realise that they have to work hard if they want the rewards in football.