Any time the topic of youth development comes to the forefront there will inevitably be a pre-2000s former professional extolling the virtues of the Reserve League.

True to form it became the subject of conversation among the pundits on the BBC's Sportsound programme after the Scottish FA recently released an extensive (and surprisingly accessible) 114-page report on issues with the "transition phase" between youth football and first-team squads. Last season some concerning numbers emerged regarding the lack of opportunities being given to players under the age of 21 in the William Hill Premiership and the SFA are looking to proactively tackle the problem before it snowballs. Some believe a return to the old system of youths > reserves > first-team would solve all that.

The argument isn't without merit. Pundits are there to share their expertise on the game after a lifetime of playing it and it would be arrogant to entirely dismiss the experience of someone who already trod the path we want the next generation to take.

The story usually goes that [insert pro] learned more in 90 minutes playing a Reserve League game alongside [insert revered former, more experienced team-mate] than they did in hours and hours of training drills or youth matches. The older pro would talk them through the match, giving them wisdom they could hold for the rest of their careers, and play with the kind of confidence and poise that was impossible not to try and emulate. They would also learn by going up against opposition players of a similar stature.

It was all part of an experience that provided an ideal stepping stone between youth football and the first-team: plenty of experienced pros on both sides of the halfway line, often playing at the home team's stadium and in front of supporters. Matches even used to take place on a Saturday.

But times have changed, especially in football. The kind of reserve league football in which these former professionals honed their craft does not and cannot exist. We know this because the SPFL already has a Reserve League.

There was a period where it didn't exist, but that changed following the 2017 implementation of Project Brave. This was an Scottish FA plan of action headed up by the Performance Director at the time, Malky Mackay, which sought to improve the academy system with the idea that youngsters would lean in a 'the best v the best' type environment. It was criticised at the time for bringing further inequality into the game and was conspicuous by its absence in the recent report, perhaps due to the fact that many of the clubs who attained 'Elite' status have since had poor records at bringing through talented youngsters.

Along with that system came the return of the Reserve League with the first campaign taking place in 2018-19, but it's been in decline ever since. Neither title winners Rangers, runners-up Celtic nor cup finalists Hearts and Motherwell even have a team any more. There are six competing in it this season, but only two are from Premiership clubs.

Many tried it and realised it didn't really work in the manner they'd hoped. That's because the idea that teams would be a blend of aspiring youngsters and educating veterans didn't come to pass. Starting XIs were mainly made up of teenagers and became glorified youth matches as a result. Clubs soon stopped bothering, deciding instead to have their youngsters compete in the Lowland League as a B Team (Celtic, Hearts and Rangers), play as a development team against opponents both in and outside Scotland (Hibs) or just concentrate their efforts on utilising the loan market.

The Reserve League used to operate differently because football was different. There used to only be two or three players on the bench; now clubs carry 20 players in a matchday squad. The threat of injury is also taken much more seriously than it was back then. Many clubs aren't going to risk having a first-team squad player absent for several months because they thought it'd be good for a youngster's development if he played in his vicinity during a midweek game in a humble, mostly-empty ground.

That's another thing that's changed. They no longer feel like competitive contests. Since clubs are now a lot more fastidious when it comes to the state of their pitch (and everyone loses their mind whenever someone isn't) reserve games aren't played at home grounds any more. Couple this with matches typically taking place in midweek and there's little reason for supporters to go along and create a mini-matchday atmosphere.

There could perhaps be some kind of radical change, where the clubs are forced to buy into the idea of a Reserve League and must commit X number of experienced players for every match, but that doesn't sound like something either management or the footballers themselves would happily sign up for.

The SFA report both highlights the issue of player pathways and signals an urgency from our governing bodies to avoid potential future disaster, which is undoubtedly a good thing.

The one recommendation most likely to be implemented is a 'co-operative system' where youngsters could be loaned out to lower league sides but recalled at any point by their parent club. That too has its drawbacks and it may take something a bit more revolutionary to change the landscape. But regardless of what Scottish football ends up going with, it's time to leave the prior virtues of the Reserve League where they belong: in the past.