Soccer's Next Star firmly on Makel and McPherson's radar

IT is a concept similar to The X Factor, which could unearth the next promising talent to emerge from Scottish football.

Soccer's Next Star, hosted by former Hearts players Dave McPherson and Lee Makel, will run from July 18-23 at Netherdale playing fields in Galashiels, and will offer children as young as nine the chance to train at an SPL youth academy.

Similar schemes like Football Superstar, Football Icon and Football's Next Star proved a rousing success involving illustrious clubs such as Chelsea and Inter Milan. Scotland's equivalent will test run in the Borders and eventually extend to Edinburgh if the idea takes off.

Children aged between nine and 16 will spend five days being coached at Netherdale, with the best three chosen at the end of the camp to train at their relevant age group at an SPL club. The SPL Under-19 Player of the Year - Hearts' Jason Holt - is also involved and McPherson believes the programme will prove hugely successful.

"There will be a skills test that each kid will need to go through on the course," explained McPherson. "Jason Holt has done the tests and there will be a video on the website to show the kids exactly what they need to do. There will be passing, touch, control, shooting and other things.

"I know the SFA in the Borders are looking to get the kids more involved in football, so this is an avenue for the kids there to get more into it. Obviously, the prize at the end of it is quite appealing. The kids will train in three different age groups during the five days - nine to 11, 12-14 and 14-16. The three best players from each age group will go forward to train at an SPL academy.

"It will be one week or two weeks' training, depending on how the academy in question can accommodate us. It will involve mainly training with the winning kid's relevant age-group. It will get these kids into the club to look around and see what is involved.

"This hasn't been done in Scotland before. I know Sky broadcast something like this in Italy but this is more local. It's a slightly different concept but based around the same basic theme. We just want more kids involved in football, it's the biggest sport in the world but still some kids don't get the option to play."

There are no plans as yet to broadcast Soccer's Next Star but children interested in taking part can apply online at www.soccers-next-star.com