Neil Doncaster loving ' hugely encouraging' loan transfer system as Hearts and Hibs benefit from new SFA plans
The SPFL CEO is loving the impact the new system has had for players at the likes of Hearts and Hibs.
SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has been left buoyed by the nation’s new loan transfer system that Hearts and Hibs are benefiting from.
The SFA have introduced a new type of loan transfer deal this season called a co-operation loan, which allows youngsters eligible for Scotland national teams to move between their parent club and loan side with added flexibility. New figures released shows Hibs goalkeeper Freddie Owens tops the minutes played charts with 1170 minutes as of the end of October.
Playing time for youngsters has increased by 46% since the co-operation agreements came into place, added to the revamped KDM Evolution Trophy, which introduced a league phase including ‘B’ teams. Dead Cleland was with Owens at East Kilbride and has now joined fellow League Two side Stranraer while Jacob MacIntyre’s loan from Hibs with Arbroath has been extended until the end of the season after a co-op agreement was penned with the Championship team. Jamie McMurdo and Owen Calder are both at Gala Fairydean Rovers.
Neil Doncaster on new SPFL loan system
Hearts have agreements in place with St Johnstone, Montrose and Spartans, with Adam Forrester on loan at Simo Valakari’s Saints in the Championship. Callum Sandilands has been joined by Gus Stevenson at Montrose and Kenzi Nair joined Spartans as part of that co-operation agreement.
Doncaster says the feedback has placed firmly in the positive category. He said: “It’s hugely encouraging to see young Scottish players’ minutes increase by nearly 50% so far this season, and it’s a clear reflection of the tangible impact of our revamped KDM Evolution Trophy and the co-operation system.
“The feedback we’ve received from our member clubs on both the co-operation system, and the new KDM Evolution Trophy format has been overwhelmingly positive to date. It’s great to see these changes are giving emerging talent more exposure to senior football, which can only help their development and be good news for the wider Scottish game.”
SFA co-operation agreement deals verdict
Chris Docherty, Head of Men's Elite Strategy at the Scottish FA, explained: "We have seen several clubs take advantage of the co-operation system, and there are still others that we hope may utilise this more in future. But whether it's co-operation loans, traditional loans, utilising the cup competitions or simply an increased focus on playing youngsters in first teams as part of overall club strategies, we need to see these players given more chances.
"It's a hugely exciting time for the national game, with the recent qualification for the FIFA World Cup, but it's imperative that we don't stand still. Through innovations such as the co-operation system, and continued research like our recent-published Review of Youth Development, it's vital that we keep striving to ensure that we are a nation that maximises our resource to deliver the best possible results for our young players."
Andrew Gould, Chief Football Officer at the Scottish FA, added: "Though we are still in the early stages of witnessing the changes that were introduced ahead of the 2025/2026 season, I am encouraged to see encouraging increases with regards to the opportunities our young players are getting. We made it clear in last year's report that, as a nation, we are lagging behind several other countries when it comes to chances for players in the key transition phase, and while there is still a lot of work for us to do, the buy-in from clubs at this stage has been extremely positive.
"As well as the impact of the co-operation system, which is giving clubs a significant amount of flexibility, we are seeing increased numbers across the board, which can only be a positive for Scottish football. We know that there is still significant work to do, however, and we will continue to work with the clubs as we all strive to promote positive opportunities for young players at this key point in their development."