The latest group of Scottish FA JD Performance School participants have enjoyed their graduation event at Hampden Park, with youngsters aiming to follow in the footsteps of Billy Gilmour, Nathan Patterson and Emma Watson.
The latest crop, who all joined the programme in 2019, had their landmark night at the National Stadium, after completing the four year programme in the summer.
Among the 51 graduates were 16-year-old Rory Whittaker, who has featured nine times for Hibernian's first team this season, after making his debut in September. The Broughton High School graduate became the club's youngest ever player when he came on against St Johnstone at Easter Road.
Grange Academy graduate Ollie Ecrepont has also experienced first team football He made his Ayr United debut in the Viaplay Cup in the summer, while several of the graduates have also represented Scotland at youth level.
It has been another successful year for the Scottish FA JD Performance School programme, which has now been running for over a decade.
Gilmour and Patterson both played integral parts as Scotland secured qualification for next year's European Championships in Germany.
Former Hazlehead Academy pupil Calvin Ramsay also became the third men's player to represent the national team when he came on against Turkey just over twelve months ago.
And in April, Broughton graduate Emma Watson became the latest women's player to represent Scotland when she made her debut against Australia aged just 16. Watson also scored a double on her Hampden Park debut against Costa Rica four days later and she was on target against Finland in the summer as well.
Former Braidhurst pupil Max Johnston - who joined youngsters at the Performance School trials in March earlier this year - has also enjoyed a whirlwind year. The 19-year-old was named SFWA Young Player of the Year for 2022–23 before moving to SK Sturm Graz in Austria. He has since featured in the UEFA Europa League and was also called up to the Scotland squad for the friendly against France in October.
Another Braidhurst alumni, Ryan One, became the latest to feature in the English Premier League, making his debut for Sheffield United in the same month at the age of just 17.
Johnston, Watson and Patterson were among the graduates who also sent video messages of congratulations to the current crop - who also heard from the likes of Connor Barron, Lewis Neilson and Dylan Reid.
Brian McLaughlin, Scottish FA JD Performance School Manager: "This event is always a highlight of our calendar year as it's an opportunity for as all to pay tribute to the students whose hard work has got them where they are today.
"It's been a hugely successful 2023 for the programme, with the likes of Billy and Nathan contributing to the success for the men's national team.
"Emma's impact on the women's national team was also sensational and we all miss her well in her recovery from injury.
"It's fantastic that these current graduates can see so many positive role models and we are now seeing a number of graduates playing at the highest level.
"This current crop are just at the start of their journeys and we wish them well, secure in the knowledge that our programme also places importance on the educational side, so they have a strong base to build on in the years to come."