FORMER Rangers boss Walter Smith has suggested young players should not be heading footballs until they are 17.

The Scottish Football Association is said to be close to introducing a ban on children under 12 doing headers in training.

It follows a ground-breaking study led by Glasgow University which showed former players were five times more likely to get Alzheimer’s Disease and had a three-fold risk of dementia.

While the study did not make specific reference to headers, the SFA is said to be keen to introduce additional safeguards for young players. A ban on children under 10 heading the ball was introduced in the U.S in 2015.

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Speaking at the launch of the new Billy McNeil Fund, which will provide financial aid to former players who have dementia, the former Scotland boss described the ban as a “significant step” but said he would go even further.

He said: “I’ve been watching my own grandkids play since they were six years of age, until 12, and they very rarely head the ball anyway.

“My oldest grandkid is over 12 now and you begin to see it. The goalie can kick the ball further and higher and kids are defenders are going to head it.It’s only now and again so I don’t think that will harm anybody.

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“But I’d maybe have extended it to 16 or 17 year olds when kids have become stronger and able to deal with it a bit better.

“After my playing days, going into my management days, doctors became a lot more aware of the dangers of head clashes.”