Malky Mackay has revealed that the SFA and the SPFL are in discussions over the introduction of colt teams and a revamp of the loan system.

Partick Thistle chief executive Ian Maxwell had previously raised concerns that the two governing bodies had not spoken about Project Brave.

He drew particular attention to the issue of the development of players aged between 17 and 21, where the responsibility for their development shifts from the association to the league body.

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But Mackay says that talks are now ongoing as he looks to find a way to get players from that particular age bracket competing against seasoned professionals as often and as quickly as possible.

“I’ve known Ian Maxwell since we were at Queens Park together and we’re having discussions about this all the time,” Mackay said.

“One of the first lines that we talked about was that it isn’t just about youth. It’s also about loans.

“We’re talking to the SPFL about making the loan system more flexible to allow the 19 to 21 year olds to get out and have a pathway to come through, and to have reserve league as opposed to a development league when the reserve league has at least four or five players who are overage.

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“That means you are playing with and against men. That’s the biggest thing which will bring our players on. No one disagrees with that.

“When you look at the European Under 21 Championships in Poland right now, Italy knocked Germany out with a team that has 1,000 Serie A appearances between them. They’ll be 23 mostly by the time the final comes around.

“[Colt teams] are another discussion point altogether. It’s not our gift to give. It’s an SPFL discussion. There are a lot of things to factor in.

“Where will those teams play? What league would they play in when you look at the pyramid system in Scottish football in terms of the Lowlands, Highlands and Juniors. Promotion and relegation, where would that sit?

“How would clubs fund that if it’s played at exactly the same time on a Saturday as the first team? Do they have the ability to staff it? Where are they going to play?

“It’s absolutely a discussion point and I’m part of a working party which is involved with the SPFL discussing that whole thing. It’s an ongoing strand alongside what reserves should look like as well.”