FA chairman Greg Dyke has faced continued resistance from clubs against his pleas to increase the minimum number of home-grown players in English Premier League squads from the current eight, to twelve.

His argument goes that the existing rules have allowed for a bottleneck of players at under-21 level, who enter a period of stagnation as they fail to break into the star-studded sides at the top of the English game.

The biggest loser in this scenario, apart from the players themselves, is the English national side. Hardly the concern of a Scottish football supporter, you may think, and you would be right, because the biggest beneficiaries of this ‘glass ceiling’ effect could in fact be clubs north of the border.

For evidence to back this theory up take a look to Lanarkshire, where Manchester United’s under-21 captain and a former England under-19 striker are both plying their trade, temporarily at least.

Liam Grimshaw, the United starlet, has swapped the comforts afforded to professionals at one of the biggest clubs in the world for the rather more humble surroundings of Fir Park, Motherwell.

“I was after a different experience,” he said.

“I wanted to play with first-team players at a different standard of football. I’ve been at Manchester United for a long time, so it was time for something different.

“I just wanted to get out, work hard and try to improve myself as a player. If you want to improve you need new experiences.

“That’s why it was important to get away, because I’ve played at that Under-21 level for quite a while now.

“You’re in the comfort zone there. You know the coaches and what they expect from you.

“Going somewhere else helps broaden your horizons. I’ve seen boys drop out because they’ve maybe enjoyed being a Manchester United player too much and all that came with it.

“It’s fair to say you’re not really a footballer until you’re a first team player. It’s okay playing in the Under-21s at United, but it’s better to be out and play proper games in front of proper crowds.

“It’s a worldwide club, probably the biggest club in the world, but you have to be exceptional to burst into the team as a young lad because they have the capacity to buy anyone they want in the world.”

For former England youth Carlton Morris, currently enjoying a great start to a loan-spell at Hamilton from former manager Alex Neil’s Norwich, coming to the Scottish Premiership proving ground allows him to gain the experience which he hopes will allow him to emulate his illustrious former teammates.

“Loan moves are important because football is all about experience and getting it at the earliest possible moment,” he said.

“You see guys like Raheem Sterling and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. They have over 100 appearances at a high level already and they are still only young.

“They will go on to have great careers but in my opinion, getting experience early is the most important thing.

“I played with guys like James Wilson, Calum Chambers, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and a few others who have been successful.

“Jordan Ibe was another one and it’s great to see them getting a chance with big clubs and taking it.

“Seeing them do so well gives me confidence because I know I’m not far behind that. If I can keep doing what I am, keep my head down and work hard, hopefully I can get far.”