Scottish duo named in prestigious top 100 list alongside former Celtic target and Barcelona wonderkid

Two of Scotland’s most promising young midfielders have been named as one of the world’s top teenage talents alongside stars from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain.

CIES Football Observatory Weekly Post’s released their annual list of the top 100 teenagers in world football yesterday and named 17-year-old Spanish wonderkid Lamine Yamal as the world’s top teenage talent, with Barcelona team-mate Pau Cubarsí and Real Madrid forward Endrick Felipe completing the top three.

However, there were also places reserved for two of Scotland’s most highly-rated young stars, after Motherwell ace Lennon Miller and Kilmarnock player David Watson were placed at 29th and 87th on the list respectively following their excellent breakout seasons in last year’s Scottish top flight.

The list, which ranks players under the age of 20 based on ‘the sporting level of matches played’, included players from 38 leagues around the world and included 13 of the English Premier League’s most promising talents such as Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro, with 10 of the most promising teenagers from France’s Ligue 1 also included alongside former Celtic target Facundo Buonanotte of Leicester City.

Also on the list was 18-year-old Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Archie Gray, who was placed in sixth position. Signed for a reported fee of £30million by the North London club in the summer, the ex-Leeds United teen is eligible to play for Scotland as the grandson of Frank Gray, and the great nephew of Eddie Gray, both of whom represented Scotland at international level during their own careers. He has so far only represented England at youth level though, with the player choosing to play for the Three Lions at under-21 level recently.

Seen as one of Scotland’s most promising talents, 17-year-old Lennon was a rumoured target for Rangers in the summer after an outstanding debut season at Fir Park, whereas Watson was named the SFWA’s young player of the year for the 23/24 season. Both starred in Scotland under-21s 5-0 win over Malta on Tuesday and are hoping to become part of the first under-21 squad to reach a European Championship since 1996.