The head teacher who runs the academy that is delivering a talent production line to Celtic believes clubs across Scotland could introduce similar schemes that would benefit the sport nationally.
A paucity of homegrown talent was effectively highlighted by Gordon Strachan last weekend as the Scotland manager sought to place his team’s performance in the context of his own trophy laden career as a player and manager.
The man who won titles on both sides of the border with Aberdeen and Manchester United in his playing days before claiming a string of titles as Celtic manager reckoned that they had come within moments of what would have been his greatest victory of all such is the gulf between the two teams.
Read more: Karamoko Dembele and fellow young bhoys are fitting in just fine with their schoolmates
Not one Scottish player would have gained selection in a combined XI with Saturday’s opponents which is a stark contrast from Strachan’s early playing days when Scottish talent was abundant in English clubs that dominated the European scene.
The agreement initiated when he was Celtic manager between the club and East Dunbartonshire’s education authority to allow them to work with St Ninian’s High in Kirkintilloch to develop players was consequently an attempt to address that and the school’s head teacher, Paul McLaughlin, reckons the template they have created can be replicated.
“I think this can be done elsewhere depending on the willingness of the school to make it work,” he said.
“You need a school that’s prepared to say we’ll make this work because it’s worthwhile, but that’s where you need schools that are ambitious, schools that will take things on.”
Read more: Karamoko Dembele and fellow young bhoys are fitting in just fine with their schoolmates
He noted that while most of the Celtic players who go to their school are originally from outwith the St Ninian’s catchment area, they are almost exclusively from the west coast of Scotland leaving scope for those in other geographical areas to take a similar approach and he noted that both Hearts FC and Liverpool FC have visited the school to see how it works.
As a passionate educationalist he also believes it works for the school as a whole.
“I think it’s good for staff and kids to be in a school like that,” said McLaughlin.
“If the only thing that matters about a school is what is being taught in the classes that’s not a great school. Schools are about much more.”
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