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Friday, 12 April, 2002, 20:08 GMT 21:08 UK
Dundee Utd turn to youth
Phil O'Donnell is playing for Sheffield Wednesday
Stephen O'Donnell says that his uncle Phil, once a Celtic player, has helped him win an extended contract at Dundee United.
O'Donnell and fellow youth player Mark Wilson were awarded new deals this week as Tannadice boss Alex Smith looks to youth in light of the Scottish Premier League cash crisis.
Striker Danny Ogunmade is the latest teenager to be drafted into the United first-team and could make his debut against Motherwell on Saturday.
Last weekend, it was fellow 18-year-old, midfielder O'Donnell, who made an impressive entrance against Hibernian.
Stephen O'Donnell made his debut against Hibs
And he thanked his more famous cousin, now at Sheffield Wednesday, for his guidance.
"Phil is always there when I need a bit of advice, which is good from my point of view," he said.
"He has already done well at Celtic and now he's at Sheffield Wednesday doing not too badly.
"I talk to him a lot on the phone and if I keep progressing then hopefully I'll do well here at Dundee United."
O'Donnell and defender Wilson have both signed until 2004, with Smith stressing that a youth policy was the way out of the present financial straitjacket engulfing Scottish football.
"The way things are going at present it's important for SPL clubs to get away from having too many foreign players," he said.
"The priority is to produce players capable of coming through the ranks and reaching the first team.
"Dundee United have always given youngsters a chance and this proves the case again."
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