I think we'll still see youngsters coming through, but you're right that a lot of the prospects will be nicked by other teams before we see them. That happens to teams much bigger than is, and isn't likely to end soon. That's why I'm in agreement with those people, like our CEO, who say the development payments need to increase. They haven't changed for a number of years while transfer prices continue to rise exponentially.
The Covid seasons created a gap in development which hasn't helped, but at least we kept our academy active. Of course you can't guarantee any of the youngsters will make the step up, but if we do find any, the fact that we can offer first team football sooner still gives us some advantage.
Cornelius was a Hibs youngster who didn't sign for us until he was 17 or so, so while we helped his development, he isn't really an academy product.