MOVING to the United States has long been viewed by professional footballers as the perfect way to bring their playing days to an end. They can enjoy getting a little sun on their backs in a less demanding league and top up their pension pots in the process.

Yet, heading across the Atlantic is now being viewed increasingly by aspiring players in this country as a viable means of getting their careers in the game started and as a genuine alternative to the much-maligned pro-youth set-up.

A gathering at a hotel on the outskirts of Cumbernauld this month, where potential stars of the future and their parents listened intently as representatives from Premier Scholar- ships USA explained the myriad benefits of the American collegiate system, underlined that.

The meeting was attended by a healthy smattering of gifted and ambitious youngsters who are currently part of the Club Academy Scotland system, including at Celtic and Rangers, as well as being Scotland age-group internationalists.

Davie Weir, the Rangers assistant manager, attended the University of Evansville in Indiana for three years before playing for Falkirk, Hearts, Everton, Rangers and Scotland. Few others to enjoy such a distinguished career have taken that route over the years. However, following the American dream is becoming more and more commonplace.

“Football scholarships have happened in the past, but usually for boys who hadn’t been offered a professional contract by one of Scotland’s top clubs,” said Adrian McKenna of Premier Scholarships USA. “Going to America was always the second choice. Their first choice has always been to sign a contract here.

“Now boys are seeing it as a serious alternative to a professional contract. It isn’t an admission that you aren’t going to make it as a professional footballer, it is just a different way of doing it.”

It is understandable that other routes into professional football are being examined. Jim McInally, the former Dundee United and Scotland midfielder and current Peterhead manager, caused controversy in 2015 when he accused the pro-youth programme of driving teenagers to the brink of suicide.

But McInally is certainly not alone in believing there are too many kids involved in the system who aren’t good enough to make it in the game and being concerned for their well- being. Brian McClair, the former SFA performance director, recommended the number be reduced by two thirds.

The advantage that taking up a scholarship in the United States would appear to have over Club Academy Scotland is that if a player fails to reach the required level – and the majority of them don’t – then they have a qualification to fall back on.

There are only 1700 scholarships available and more than 33,000 hopefuls apply for them. Premier Scholar- ships USA charge a fee of around £2000 to secure a much sought-after place. It can prove money well spent. If a boy or girl is considered to be of a sufficient standard by their college they can have their tuition fees, rent and living expenses paid to the tune of up to £50,000 a year for them.

“If boys are academic, and the academic side of things is important, and they are an elite footballer as well, then they have the opportunity to both study and play,” said McKenna. “That isn’t as forthcoming in Scotland.

“You certainly won’t be hindering your opportunities to become a professional footballer, but, at the same time, you are also ensuring that, if you don’t make it in the game, you have got an education and have a university degree.

“At 20 or 21, when you have a better idea whether you are going to be able to make a good living in the game or not, you have a degree in your back pocket and you can walk into another career.”

McKenna knows only too well just how rewarding the experience can be. His own son Ciaran, a talented midfielder, turned down the offer of a three year contract with Celtic after leaving school aged 17 two years ago and enrolled in Duke University in North Carolina. He hasn’t regretted his decision.

“If Ciaran had wanted to go full-time with Celtic then I would have supported him 100 per cent,” he said. “However, I was absolutely delighted at his choice because he is academic. He didn’t throw that away, he kept his options open. The numbers and the stats aren’t that great. The reality is that parents are seeing exactly what I’m seeing. They understand it is very, very difficult to make it as a professional footballer at any academy.

“This increases their options. They look at this as an alternative to going full-time and they don’t think it is going to compromise their opport- unity to be a professional footballer.”

College sports in America attract huge crowds. Indeed, McKenna Jnr plays for Duke University in a 10,000 capacity stadium in games which are broadcast live by ESPN. There is the possibility of being picked up by an MLS club if a boy performs well enough or of playing professionally elsewhere once he graduates as a result of that exposure.

“One of my own son’s team-mates, Jeremy Ebobisse, did two years at Duke University, got drafted early, is now playing for the United States Under-20s, is contracted to the MLS and will play with a professional club next season,” said McKenna.

“But some of the boys at the top schools in the collegiate system are also getting offers to go to Europe. Matthew Olosunde, one of the boys who was supposed to be going to Duke, got signed by Manchester United last year.

“Scottish players taking up scholar- ships are on the increase. I think that, while it won’t become the norm, more and more boys will consider it as a serious option. They can continue playing at an elite level, but not at the expense of their education. It’s a great life experience as well. They will be all the better for it in my opinion.”

McKenna Jnr is certainly enjoying his time enormously. “The facilities out here are incredible and the quality of competition is very high,” he said. “It is the best place for me to combine both my football and my education.

“At the end of my three-and-a-half years I will have more options, either in football or in a working environment, available to me. Last year two of Duke’s players turned professional and joined the MLS. Another didn’t and is now working on Wall Street with Morgan Stanley.”

Anyone interested can contact Premier Scholarships USA on www.premierscholarshipsusa.co.uk