JIM GOODWIN insists Alloa FC should be seen as a breeding ground for young talent in the Scottish game.

The Wasps can boast a record of developing players, either in their own ranks or via loans from the top flight.

The Alloa boss feels his side can offer youngsters much-needed time on the park, and has a track record of helping them to secure full-time clubs following their time in Clacks.

Last season, St Mirren's Ross Stewart was given the opportunity to shine and has since gone on to sign for Ross County.

Celtic loanee Jamie McCart also filled at the back for the Wasps last season and has since moved on Inverness.

Indeed, in recent years, the club has also played a major part in boosting the careers of Calum Waters, Stevie May and Michael Doyle.

And Scott McKenna, who enjoyed a brief loan stint with the Wasps in 2015-16, has since gone on to stardom at Aberdeen – and captained Scotland in the national side’s friendly against Mexico in May.

For this year's Championship campaign, Goodwin secured Dario Zanatta from Hearts and Liam Burt from Rangers – with both making their debuts against Inverness.

The manager says he is delighted to have the duo at the Indodrill Stadium, and feels they are capable of becoming the youngsters to shine at the club.

He told Advertiser Sport: "We have a good history over the last couple of years of bringing young players in and giving them a chance.

"They go on to their parent clubs better and kick on into the first team, or go on to find other full time clubs themselves.

"We are delighted to give them the opportunity. They have got a great attitude and they will settle in very well."

Goodwin added: "Liam is a fantastic young player. Rangers have high hopes for him and we will do all we can to get him some game time while he's here. Dario is the same."

Alloa claimed their first point of the season at Inverness on Saturday and Goodwin was encouraged by the performance of his side, especially as they played half the tie with ten men.

Defender Zdravko Karadachki was sent off for two yellow cards in close succession, while his manager had few complaints about the decisions.

He said: "He gets the wrong side of the centre-forward for the first booking and I think it's a deserved yellow card because he would have been through on goal.

"The second one is more difficult because there are a lot of things going on in the box.

"I didn't see it clearly to be honest but if you manhandle someone in the box you give the referee a decision to make. I thought by the players' reaction that the referee probably got it right.

"He'll miss next weekend but I'm not too concerned. It's an area of the pitch we are trying to strengthen anyway because we are very short.

"Liam Dick went in there alongside Andy Graham and looked very comfortable, and Reis Peggie came on and was excellent.

"It's an opportunity for other players to step in and make a mark, and I think some of them did that."