SPFL Talents to Watch in 21/22 (Part One)

In this series, I’ll look at one young player to watch from each team in the SPFL ahead of the new 21/22 season. In part one, I’ll cover Aberdeen, Celtic, Dundee, Dundee United, Hearts and Hibs. Let’s get going. 

Aberdeen - Jack Mackenzie

It is definitely a new dawn at Aberdeen with the appointment of Stephen Glass as manager. The former Atlanta United B coach joined the Dons at the tail end of last season after Derek McInnes’ departure. The Pittodrie club have already made some enticing additions this summer with the likes of Christian Ramirez, Teddy Jenks, Scott Brown and Jay Emmanuel Thomas however it could be youth academy product Jack Mackenzie who may look to shine in the 21/22 season. The 21 year old spent the beginning of last season on loan at Forfar but he was recalled in January. Mackenzie is a left back, although with a 6”3 stature, he could more than likely fill in at centre back. He made his debut for Aberdeen last season against Dundee United. Mackenzie then went on to make 6 appearances for the Dons at the end of the last Premiership campaign. Mackenzie recently agreed to a 2 year contract extension which will see him remain in the North East until at least 2023. Interestingly, Mackenzie almost joined Atlanta United B on loan 16 months ago however the move fell through due to the Coronavirus outbreak. This has shown that Stephen Glass is keen to work with the 21 year old and it would not be surprising to see him given the chance to become the starting left back at Aberdeen in the forthcoming season. 

Celtic - Stephen Welsh

Stephen Welsh was one of the bright sparks in such a dark season for Celtic in 20/21. The 21 year old made some cameo appearances at the beginning of last season yet he was thrown in at the deep end in the first Glasgow Derby of the campaign. Welsh also went on to start against AC Milan in the Europa League a few days later. The centre back would go on to make a couple of substitute appearances throughout the rest of the calendar year however he didn’t nail down a starting berth in the Celtic defence until later on in the season. Since Celtic’s 4-0 win at Rugby Park on the 2nd of February, Welsh has been a regular fixture in the Hoops back line. At the time of writing, the Scotland under 21 international has just came off the back of a very mature performance in Celtic’s 1-1 draw with Midtjylland in the Champions League 2nd qualifying round. With the chance to strike a partnership with new Celtic signing Carl Starfelt at the heart of defence while Christopher Jullien is out injured and new manager Ange Postecoglou at the helm, the youngster may grasp his opportunity. 

Dundee - Luke McCowan

The first attacker to feature on this list is Luke McCowan. The 23 year old joined Dundee this summer on a free transfer after his contract expired at Ayr United. McCowan scored 5 goals and got 3 assists as The Honest Men narrowly avoided a dreaded relegation play off by goal difference last season. The Scot is predominately a right winger however he can also play a more central role, in behind the striker. McCowan was Ayr United’s second top goal scorer last season and joint top for goals and assists put together. On his debut for Dundee in a friendly against Forfar, McCowan managed to score his first goal for the club, controlling a great ball from over the top then rounding the keeper and calmly slotting into an empty net. When Dundee faced Montrose in the Premier Sports Cup, McCowan got himself on the score sheet yet again. The attacker followed up after McGhee’s effort was palmed away by Allan Fleming in the Montrose goal. The addition of McCowan to James McPake’s side ahead of the new season is a shrewd one that brings more depth and creativity to Dundee’s attack. 

Dundee United - Kieran Freeman

The 21 year old returned to Dundee United last year after moving to Southampton at 16. Freeman spent the 20/21 campaign out on loan at Peterhead, making a total of 26 appearances for the League One club. Freeman’s foremost position is right back however he has operated at left back in the past. Dundee United have enjoyed a peerless start to the season with a 100% record in the Premier Sports Cup. The Arabs have defeated Kelty Hearts, Elgin City, Arbroath and East Fife en route to the last 16 of the competition. Freeman featured in all of those fixtures as he caught the eye of his manager, Tam Courts, who said “There’s talent there”. The Dundee United boss went on to state “His time down south was mired with injury problems so he’s came back up and is trying to reset his career. He’s a lovely lad with a great attitude, similar to Flynn Duffy”. Freeman managed to score 1 goal and set up a further 3 in his four appearances in the Premier Sports Cup group stage. Looking ahead to the dawn of the Scottish Premiership season, Freeman will be aspiring to seize a place in the United starting eleven after some stately displays so far in 21/22. 

Hearts - Finlay Pollock

The young Hearts midfielder made his competitive debut for the capital side in the Premier Sports Cup when he came off the bench against Peterhead. Pollock has since went on to make four appearances for Hearts this season so far in both friendlies and in the Premier Sports Cup. The 17 year old scored his first goal for the Jambos in their 2-0 away win over Stirling Albion. Pollock may still only be a teenager yet he is highly rated in Gorgie. Manager Robbie Neilson had this to say when asked about a potential loan move for Pollock: “Finlay has been great through pre-season and he was about the squad at the end of the season. He came in during the summer and it’s credit to him and the staff who came in over the close season to get him ready. We are seeing the benefits of that now. Some young boys will go out on loan so they need to go and play games but we are still to make a decision on Finlay but he will probably stay”. It is unclear whether or not Finlay Pollock will get game time if he stays at Hearts however last season’s Championship winners have not been reluctant to give youth a chance in the past seasons with the likes of Aaron Hickey and Harry Cochrane both being given opportunities. Especially Hickey who started in the 2019 Scottish Cup Final at just 17. Whatever happens, Pollock is palpably one to watch in 21/22. 

Hibs - Daniel Mackay

There is definitely a great deal of optimism going into the new season at Easter Road after a third place finish last season. Jack Ross also guided the Hibees to the Scottish Cup Final yet they were defeated 1-0 by St. Johnstone. Hibs have only made two summer signings however there haven’t been many key players that have departed. One of their additions was Daniel Mackay. The 20 year old was brought in from Inverness for around £200k after he caught the eye in the Championship last season. Mackay is traditionally a right winger but left wing and attacking midfield are within his repertoire. In 27 appearances across the Scottish Championship and Scottish Cup last season, Mackay scored 9 goals and bagged 1 assist including an excellent solo effort in the Highland Derby against Ross County in the Scottish Cup. On his Hibs debut against Arsenal in a friendly, Mackay scored what turned out to be the winning goal. The Scot was left unmarked at the back post and headed into an empty net after coming off the bench. Hibs have experience in developing young talent from the lower leagues of Scotland after Kevin Nisbet joined from Dunfermline last summer.  The striker has gone on to be capped by Scotland at the Euros and be linked with several moves away. Perhaps Daniel Mackay could be the next big thing to come out of Leith. 

That’s all for part one, look out for part two next week which will include one player from each of Livingston, Motherwell, Rangers, Ross County, St. Johnstone and St. Mirren. Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @Josh_Footblog.