Danny Lennon has red carded suggestions that bringing in loan stars will stifle the development of St Mirren’s youngsters.
Three members of Lennon’s current first team squad have been borrowed from other clubs – with Conor Newton and Paul Dummett arriving from Newcastle United and Esmael Goncalves joining from Portuguese outfit Rio Ave.
And, earlier this week, Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels claimed he didn’t want loan stars at his club because he would rather give young players a chance to shine.
However, Lennon is convinced the Buddies have struck the right balance between loan signings and focusing on the conveyer belt of talent at the club’s academy.
He said: “For a while, clubs have neglected the kids coming through and that has had a bearing on the game in Scotland.
“With the financial decline, clubs are now being forced to bring kids through, which is good for the national side, but it is going to take time before you get a load of them coming in.
“Terry Butcher, at Inverness Caley Thistle, has tapped into the loan system well. He has got players tied up on long deals – and we managed to do that with Paul Dummett for a season-long loan and the others for half a season.
“It is not a long-term solution but these players could help Scottish football.”
