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Taylor said: "Manchester United have produced world-class players for years and obviously I went to Sir Alex for help.

"He was very encouraging and gave open access to study United's methods and these will be implemented into our academy.

"He also emphasised the importance of not becoming too discouraged when players who look to have a great chance drop out. He said even United have a big drop-off rate among 14 to 18-year-olds.

"It can be a bit disheartening for coaches who have spent years trying to push lads through.

"But he explained it is only natural that many youngsters of that age just choose to do something else and lose their passion for football. He has come to accept that and we must learn to do the same."

After 18 years with Aberdeen during which time he helped produce Neil Simpson, John Hewitt, Eric Black, Bryan Gunn, Neale Cooper and Andy Watson, who all played a part in that European triumph, Taylor quit to concentrate on a teaching career.

Now retired from the classroom, he is intent on teaching his Pittodrie pupils how to carve out success.

He added: "Every club in the country wants to unearth quality players and Aberdeen are no different.

"Seeing so many players I had worked with at youth level conquer Europe was the undoubted highlight of my first time at Aberdeen.

"I'm determined to bring success back to the club but it is important to do things one step at a time by bringing through the youth.

"I'm excited by what's happening at the club under Jimmy Calderwood and Jimmy Nicholl who are doing a marvellous job.

"Aberdeen were going nowhere before their arrival but they have restored a passion and a pride to the club.

"There is now a determination to succeed and I will make sure that desire is there at youth level as well.

"My aim is to bring through young talent to ensure the long-term progress at Aberdeen continues."

Taylor has brought a scientific approach to his task with each youngster selected for the academy assessed and then given a programme to improve strengths and correct weaknesses. Schools across the north east have been asked to nominate promising kids to take part in trials to speed up the search for recruits.

Taylor said: "We want to widen our net further to make sure as many children as possible get a chance to show us what they can do. We hope to see 600 participate.

"We've turned to the schools for help because they were always of great assistance when I worked with Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen all those years ago.

"The organisers of the school teams know better than anyone which children have potential. They will attend the open days and the best ones will then be given an organised programme to work to for the next two to three years.

"It will include homework, advice for them and their families on things such as diet, resting properly and regular updates on how the children are progressing.

"The aim is eventually to promote the children into our development squads, who play games most weekends against youngsters from other SPL clubs.

"It is important to have a proper structure in place to encourage the children and make them feel confident they can do well.

"We take kids in at nine years of age to prepare them for the first team. It's really an eight-year apprenticeship.

"Aberdeen is the first club in the country to draw up a strategy for each lad to maximise his ability after identifying strengths and weaknesses.

"That is a logical step because each one is different and we work closely with sports scientists at our universities to devise the right programmes for them.

"The recent Scotland-France Under-21 international at Pittodrie highlighted the difference between our two countries.

"It was obvious we've fallen behind in terms of touch, technique and control. But the French were also superior physically. The upper body strength in particular was remarkable.

"If there was a World Cup for competing, Scotland would win it every time because we can battle with the best. But until we improve our skills we'll always struggle.

"That can only be done through our youth systems by playing short-sided games instead of going 11 v 11.

"In two years time, I hope to see three or four of our under-15s break through.

"If they aren't knocking on the first-team door, I will be very disappointed.

"Willie Miller and the board have invested heavily to give us this chance and we won't fail through lack of effort.

"Neil Simpson, Peter Weir, Chic McLelland and I are like-minded people who share the same desire and commitment to make this work.

"The talent is out there, it's just harder to discover than before."

Ian Orr / Daily Record