Scottish football is facing a challenge in developing young talent, with a concerning number of homegrown players failing to make it to the top of the game. According to data presented to the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) clubs, players under 21 made up only 4.1% of minutes played in the Scottish Premiership. This is a stark contrast to Denmark, where the figure is 15.1%, and Norway, where 72% of starters were born in the country. The Norwegian football league has implemented quotas, requiring clubs to have a minimum number of homegrown players in their squad. This has led to a surge in the number of young Norwegian players making it to the top level. Viking FK, a club from Stavanger, has seen significant success in developing their academy talent, with four players from their academy starting in their recent Champions League match. However, it's not just the quotas that have contributed to Norway's success. The country has also invested heavily in artificial pitches, which have allowed football to become a year-round sport. This has enabled the development of a strong grassroots network, with nearly all artificial pitches being open and free to use. The Norwegian Football Federation has also implemented a talent development system, Landslagskollen, which connects grassroots clubs, districts, top clubs, and the federation. This system has provided a unique link between grassroots football and top club football, allowing for the development of young players. In contrast, Scottish football has struggled to replicate this success. Calum Ferguson, a former Inverness Caley Thistle academy player, believes that the Scottish game is selling young players and their families a false promise of a pathway to the first team. He now works as a development officer, trying to bring through new talent and address the issue. The issue of developing young talent is a pressing concern for Scottish football, and it remains to be seen whether the country can follow Norway's example and implement similar reforms to improve the chances of homegrown players making it to the top level.