By Brian McLauchlin

Hamilton manager Billy Reid believes that introducing young players to the game is the single most important challenge facing Scottish football.

"I understand a 10-team league, in terms of finance, is the only way forward," Reid told BBC Scotland.

"But going to a smaller league will curtail young players coming through.

"It's getting the balance, but the most important thing is bringing young Scottish players into the game. It is the only way to progress as a nation."

At Ibrox last Saturday, Reid was without six first-team regulars in the 4-0 defeat by Rangers and his defence included 17-year-old Michael Devlin and 18-year-old Lee Kilday, while Grant Gillespie and Ali Crawford, both 19, played in midfield.

Although Accies sit bottom of the Scottish Premier League, they are only four points away from Hibernian and St Mirren and have a game in hand.

We don't want to be in the First Division but playing in it would be easier for me to bring young players through Hamilton manager Billy Reid

"This is the most important part of the season for us. We realise exactly what we have to do," said Reid ahead of his team's trip to play Inverness on Saturday.

"We will turn things round. There is no panic here; I believe the players are good enough.

"I've got full belief in what we are trying to achieve at the club.

"We don't want to be in the First Division but playing in it would be easier for me to bring young players through.

"It's a lot more difficult to do that in the hurly burly of the Scottish Premier League: with the pressure it is more difficult."

While he enjoys the enthusiasm shown by the Accies' teenage players, Reid did admit to trying to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window.

He said: "We are looking to add one or two to the squad. We have already made an offer to a player this week and we are hopeful he will come on board. We have some targets."

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