Celtic have announced that they are continuing an important partnership to help secure some of the best young talents of the future.
For many of us, the start of a new school year represents a happy time when we get to say goodbye to our kids after putting up with them for the whole summer.
Of course, I am joking. We all love our kids, right? But for Celtic, the start of a new school year represents a whole different meaning for the club.
It means that they continue to work with St Ninian’s High School to help develop and educate youngsters attending the school from the Youth Academy in the hope that the support they give will one day, help them become a professional footballer for Celtic.
Head of the Academy, Chris McCart, was delighted that the partnership, which has now entered its 14th year, will continue and praised the school’s Head Teacher for his part in making the development program such a success.
McCart said [Celtic FC], “We currently have 44 players attending St Ninian’s, in year groups S1-S5.
“The support from Head Teacher, Paul McLaughlin and his staff, has been first-class over the years, with their flexibility a major factor in making the Partnership a success.
“Graduates from our first intake include Jack Hendry, who has recently moved to Saudi Arabia, Stuart Findley, Kilmarnock and Jamie Lindsay currently playing with Rotherham.
“More recently we have had Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston, Stephen Welsh and Mikey Johnston, to name but a few, successfully coming through the programme.
“The main focus for both partners is the education of our young players, with this always being at the forefront of our planning.
“The staff at St Ninian’s have always been mindful of the boys’ commitment to their education and football, and have done everything possible to be supportive, throughout the academic year.
“Once again we have all been delighted with the SQA results our young players have gained this year, and cannot thank the school enough for the support and guidance given to our young players.”
As McCart highlights, the success of the partnership has certainly helped the club unearth some talented players that have not only gone on to represent Celtic at first-team level, but also carve out careers at other clubs.
Celtic’s youth strategy is one that should be front and centre of the club’s plans and it’s continued partnership with St Ninian’s will be welcomed by the supporters as we look see the next Kieran Tierney come through the ranks.
This move further bolsters the Academy’s aim to find the best young talents after the club embarked on a summer of football workshops in Japan and America as well as setting up a new partnership with Sacred Heart College in Australia.
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