Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell is determined to make the club's youth academy the heartbeat of the team. As the new season approaches, with Ross County currently 10th in the Championship, 34 points from 36 games, and 43 points behind leaders ST Johnstone, Kettlewell believes that nurturing young talent is key to the club's success.
What is the plan for youth development?
Kettlewell has a strong background in developing young players, having led the club's development squad to the Scottish title in 2017. He has continued to give opportunities to young players, including handing a senior debut to Josh Reid.
How will this impact the first team?
The manager's focus on youth development is expected to have a significant impact on the first team, with six academy graduates already featuring in the League Cup group stage matchday squad. Don Cowie has also returned to the club in a bespoke role, focusing on player development and helping the transition of young players to the senior side.
What are the benefits of this approach?
Kettlewell's approach is expected to create a sense of togetherness and a feel-good factor at the club, which has had a tough couple of years, with a recent form of 3W-0D-2L and a last result of Raith Rovers 3-2 Ross County on 2026-05-01. The manager believes that giving young players a chance will not only benefit the club but also the players themselves, providing them with valuable experience and opportunities to develop their skills. With 36 goals scored and 57 conceded, resulting in a -21 goal difference, Ross County is looking to improve their performance in the new season, and Kettlewell's focus on youth development is a key part of this strategy.
