Scottish giants Celtic FC scout South African talent at elite clinic
They came, they coached, and they changed lives, right here in Kyalami. Three elite coaches from Celtic FC touched down for a week-long football clinic hosted by Transition Football, training top young talent from across Johannesburg.
The football dreams of youngsters took a giant leap forward this past week, as three highly experienced coaches from Celtic Football Club (FC) in Scotland touched down in South Africa for a week-long elite clinic, hosted by Transition Football.
Over the course of seven days, players from across the Johannesburg North and West regions had the rare opportunity to train under the guidance of Celtic FC’s top academy staff. The visiting coaches conducted intensive sessions focused on technical development, tactical understanding, and the professional standards expected at one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs.
“The level of talent here is exceptional,” said one of the visiting Celtic FC coaches Hames Quail. “The players were enthusiastic, hardworking, and extremely coachable, traits that are vital for making it at the highest level.”
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Held at top-class facilities and attended by some of the country’s most promising young players, the clinic also served as a scouting opportunity. After closely monitoring the players throughout the week, the coaches selected the top three standout performers – who will now receive the ultimate reward.
This December, the selected trio will travel to Glasgow, Scotland for a ten day immersion at the Celtic FC Academy. They’ll train with the club’s youth teams, experience professional football environments first-hand, and showcase their ability in front of key academy staff, in the hopes of earning further opportunities in European football.
“This is more than just a football trip,” said Claudio Lorenzani, founder of Transition Football Club, a high-performance training programme at Pinnacle College in Kyalami, aimed at developing players from ages 5–19. “It’s a life-changing chance for our boys to be seen by one of the top clubs in the world. We’re proud to have Celtic FC as a partner in our mission to create global opportunities for local talent. Within the past two months we have had Gulf United FC from Dubai, and now Celtic FC, which shows our intent. There is also no other academy in the area providing these opportunities.”
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The clinic has not only uplifted players; it’s inspired coaches, parents, and the wider football community, proving once again that South African talent deserves a place on the international stage.
As the countdown to December begins, Lorenzani said the entire Transition Football family will be watching with pride as their brightest stars take the next step in what promises to be an exciting journey.
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