Celtic’s academy has produced a fair few defenders over recent years.
Kieran Tierney, Anthony Ralston and, most recently, Colby Donovan have all blossomed after being given an opportunity – Tierney became the club’s record sale in 2019.
But when Sam Wardrop was released by Brendan Rodgers in 2017, he was destined for a completely different career path in the world of social media.
Readers who play football and use social media may be aware of Wardrop’s content, which is tailored for footballers at all levels who want to work on everything from their diet to their mindset to injury management.
It’s taken him so far that he recently linked up with Harry Kane for a YouTube video, and regularly works with the England striker among others.
Ex-Celtic youngster Sam Wardrop on working with Harry Kane in his new career
A centre-half, Wardrop played for various sides in the Scottish pyramid after leaving Celtic but was badly impacted by injuries.
After retiring in 2021, he briefly returned to Ljungskile SK in Sweden last year, but content creation is his true calling.
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Speaking to The Herald, Wardrop discussed how leaving football has been ‘liberating’, and how much he has enjoyed his career in content creation.
He said: “When I stopped playing football I felt liberated. When you have been playing the game since childhood, your entire identity is as a footballer. But the minute I made the decision, I felt as if I was free.
“By applying myself to the work I do from a coaching and content perspective, I have managed to work with some really cool brands and travel to interesting places and work with some of the best players in the world.
“I don’t know if I would have ever got close to Harry Kane at Bayern or Jacob Murphy at Newcastle or Nathan Collins at Brentford.
“Those are three players I have worked with recently. And I might never have stood on the same pitch as them as a player.
“Meeting them can be quite intimidating until you realise they are just normal guys. Being exposed to players of that calibre and seeing how they carry themselves allows me to build my knowledge and understanding of what it’s like to operate at that level.”
As well as being a content creator, Wardrop works with ex-Celtic scout David Moss as a mentor for young players.
Sam Wardrop and other Celtic youngsters from 2016
A majority of Celtic players from the Development squad of 2016 are no longer playing professionally – Wardrop has made the absolute most out of the nightmare situation, which is being released.
Of those that are still playing, Calvin Miller and Aidan Nesbitt were both part of the Falkirk team which was promoted to the Premiership last season – Bairns manager John McGlynn was a member of the backroom staff at Celtic at the time.
Jamie McCart, who made one appearance in Celtic’s ‘Invincibles’ season, recently joined Hearts from Rotherham.
Mikey Johnston, Conor Hazard and Regan Hendry are the other members of the team still playing professionally.
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