A thumbnail from Sam Wardrop’s hugely popular YouTube channel (Credit: Sam Wardrop)
As a Celtic supporter, there is no achievement greater than representing your club at Celtic Park, the almost hallowed ground referred to as Paradise. Recent successes of academy graduates Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney are cherished by fans, but theirs are not the whole story.
Speaking to three former academy players, the Clyde Insider takes a deep-dive into careers that did not follow the beaten path but remain no less interesting for it. Finding out what happened next after leaving Celtic, their reflections on life to date and what success means to them.
Sam Wardrop, 28
Footballer, Coach and Content creator
Sam Wardrop’s origin story is by no means atypical. A young, standout talent at a local club gets noticed and signed after a trial. In this case, it was for Antonine AFC of Clydebank by Celtic aged 12 or 13 he recalls.
A two month long audition was enough proof and soon Wardrop was displaying the versatility and leadership skills that propelled him to captaining Celtic in a Youth Scottish Cup final victory over Rangers in 2017. A side which featured a young Kieran Tierney.
Despite the success at youth level and a loan spell at Dumbarton, a lack of opportunities saw Wardrop search for pastures new in Dundee. But he makes no bones about his departure.
“Like everyone who signs to the academy, my dream at Celtic was to play for the first-team. So obviously a part of you is disappointed.
“But I know I did everything I possibly could to give myself the best chance to get into that position and I think that’s what it’s all about,” says Wardrop.
Neither did he leave for Dundee United empty-handed. Albeit a friendly, Wardrop can still claim for have played for the Celtic first-team. Brought on in the 62nd minute by then manager Brendan Rogers against Lyon at Paradise in 2017.
“It was only one day for me, but you’re living the lifestyle of a Celtic first-team players, which not very many people get expose to, it was an incredible experience,” he says.
“I wasn’t the best football player, but I knew that I could make up for that in other areas.“
To many, leaving Celtic can feel like the end of days. However, for Wardrop, that is when life as he knows it really began.
His departure marked a gradual descent down the Scottish football pyramid via the aforementioned Dundee United, a return to Dumbarton and a spell with Aidrieonaians, retiring in 2021.
Documenting his career and subsequent attempted return to football, Wardrop garnered a following on social media, before enjoying a brief spell in Sweden with Ljungskile SK in 2024.
The return didn’t stick, but his career as a content creator very much did. Branching into videos detailing sport-specific tips and tricks as well as documentaries of life as a footballer in the States, UAE and Latvia among others, Wardrop now boasts significant followings on Instagram (132K), Youtube (10.8K) and TikTok (231.7K).
Not that the journey was without challenges he says.
“Because I was still playing, initially there was a bit of pushback from teammates and little bit from fans,” Wardrop remembers. “Even now there’s still pushback. People write comments and sometimes I hear whispers of ‘what the hell is Sam doing?!’
“Initially, you maybe doubt yourself a little bit, but people respond very well to it. Ultimately, it’s a business and it’s me to make a loving through creating social media content and coaching.”
Coaching is the other strand Wardrop was able to build on, based on what he gained at Celtic. The club holds a matrix of knowledge for those who look for it, and the results of listening bore fruit for the graduate.
“I think what some people don’t realise is how much of a learning experience being in an academy actually can be,” he says.
“Obviously, you learn to play football really well on the pitch, but off it, you become an expert in terms of nutrition and the mindset of how to overcome difficult periods, like injuries.”
With as information as possible absorbed, Wardrop provided mentoring and coaching to aspiring and current players, helping to sustain himself as he continued to build his online following whilst studying Law. Although he jokes, work and football means it has been ten years in the process.
One of Scottish football’s most recognisable figures, is he proud of what he’s achieved to date despite not ‘making it’ at Celtic?
“Yes, I don’t ever look back and regret any choices of stopping football or taking a slightly unconventional route,” says Wardrop.
“Honestly, one of the biggest things I learned being at Celtic Academy was to have a really good work ethic and apply yourself. If you have that then you will be rewarded over time.”
Neither has the experience of leaving the club dimmed his affection. Having grown up in a Hibernian supporting family, his time at the Celtic academy meant an affinity developing was inevitable.
So much so, mind you, that he addresses arch-rivals Rangers as “the other team from Glasgow”.
“Success I think is, generally I think it’s putting your head in the pillow at night ad knowing that you’ve put a shift in really.” Sam Wardrop on what success is to him.
Cara Henderson, 23
Partick Thistle W.F.C. and Marketing and Social Media Co-ordinator
It is strange to say, but in joining Celtic, Cara Henderson was actually taking a step down.
Originally playing youth football for Glasgow City, she was part of a dynastic club in the Scottish women’s game. A run of fourteen consecutive league titles would only end in 2021 for City.
However, an offer from their rivals would prove too tempting to resist for the then twelve year old.
“I remember they took me to Celtic Park before they even signed me,” recalls Henderson. “You walk through the stadium, you go to a little room which would be hospitality on a match day, so you can see the pitch behind you.”
“I just remember being completely overwhelmed in a great way that there was a chance I could sign for a team I had supported all my life.”
Fortunately for Henderson, the pamphlet matched reality. Eventually training at Lennoxtown like the senior men’s team and “kitted out to the absolutely max” she says.
What stands out from her time at the academy though, are the standards set for any players hoping to make it professionally.
“You turn up on time, that was a big thing, even when I was young,” Henderson says.
“If you don’t come to training in your Celtic shorts, you’d get piled. It’s about holding yourself and holding your club at the highest possible standard.”
Hard work saw her progress through the age-groups, before eventually earning a handful of appearances for the senior women’s side, in the process of going professional and handing out contracts.
Unfortunately, performances weren’t up to the standard the striker had set for herself.
“I remember feeling in the game itself I hadn’t done enough to showcase how good I was,” she says. “But I was dead young at the time so it was difficult.”
A professional contract was not forthcoming. Instead, Henderson was told that, whilst there was a place for her in training, she would be involved in academy matches against other youth sides.
Previously, the academy had been able to play senior teams and the perceived step back did not entice her enough. After talking it over with her family, the decision was made to leave the club.
“I was gutted to leave Celtic and I don’t think I left in the best way I possibly could have,” says Henderson.
The decision still feels like a sliding doors moment, a case of what could have been for the forward. Although some of those doubts were laid to rest when she joined Glasgow Women and winning promotion from the SWPL 2, showcasing her talents on the senior stage despite not yet being an adult herself.
The transition out of the Celtic bubble however, was not without its challenges.
“It was a massive, massive shift,” says Henderson. “It was difficult because it wasn’t necessarily the club’s fault, but everything that was drilled into you in terms of standards being kept, being on time and the pitches you were playing on, was nowhere near it.”
I am so proud of what I’ve done. I have things along the way that I look back and probably would do different for sure. But, I think part of getting older is realising that that will happen a lot.
Henderson stresses that it is by no means a slant on the club, the reality was simply that they did not have the backing that Celtic, or their rivals, enjoyed. Nevertheless, a fine season was rewarded by a move to Partick Thistle, then under the management of Brian Graham, a hard-nose strike whose gritty approach to the game was mirrored perfectly by his side.
Graduating from Celtic Academy, joining Thistle was the equivalent of taking post-graduate studies at the school of hard knocks. A side which featured experienced veterans in Cheryl McCulloch and Clare Docherty, not afraid to say exactly what they thought.
“You’re playing against ladies that have played in the trenches, they’ve played in the rubbish pitches but they are so effective at what they do,” says Henderson who would reach the League Cup final in 2024 (a 4-1 defeat to Rangers).
Being in part-time football also forced Henderson to pursue work to support her sporting career. Ranging from balancing university with knackering shifts at a cafe to working as a presenter for PLZ Soccer before recently landing a role as a marketing and social media co-ordinator with a betting company.
Her support of Celtic endures and Henderson has nothing but praise for the academy.
“I think that it taught me so much. It gave me so much. Including a platform to now go and do what I’m doing now.”
Now 23, she says her ambitions have not changed since her academy days, despite long spells out with injury over the last year.
“I would drop everything if it meant I could go and play full-time football.”
CELTIC ACADEMY PLAYER OF YEAR – WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
*19/20 and 20/21 cancelled due to Covid
Connor Beedham, 22
Fire Security Engineer
With a six month trial, Connor Beedham had to wait a little longer than most to earn his place in Celtic’s academy.
He stood out as a ten year old playing for local boys’ club West Park, not just because he was growing into his eventual 6 foot 7 frame. But it was only upon arrival that die hard fan Beedham realised the magnitude of the establishment he was entering.
Placed in the same age group as current first-team squad member Dane Murray as well as Karamoko Dembélé, once labelled a “wonder kid” by the press and now enjoying his football with Queen’s Park Rangers.
“A complete joke” says Beedham when recalling Dembélé’s ability. “Honestly, the standard, you’re thinking ‘oh my God, I’ve got zero chance,’” he says.
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Despite his self-effacing nature, the defender did continue to make the grade each year. Surviving the brutal cull that is an intrinsic part of academy life.
Parent-teacher style meetings were held at the end of everyone season, informed whether or not their child would have their dreams dashed.
“It’s cutthroat,” says Beedham. “One week you’re training with the them, then the next they’re away.”
Unfortunately for the youngster, the pro contract would never come as injuries hampered the final years of his time at the club.
Instead, Celtic offered the cover expenses as he continued to play with the under 18s. Eventually Beedham and his supportive family (also die-hard fans), believed his development would be best served by moving on.
“It’s tough when you’re a Celtic fan, you’re just thinking with your heart and you want to play for them.”
“I had a lot of conversations with my mum and dad, obviously they don’t want to see their boy leave the team the family support, but they wanted me to do what I thought was best for myself,” he says.
The decision was taken to leave, aged 16, for Motherwell. A club which had been offering playing opportunities to young players.
Recurring injuries and the Covid pandemic meant that no professional deals were offered to prospects, forcing Beedham to hit the road again.
As restrictions loosened, Beedham made his move to Stirling Albion, currently in Scottish League Two, the country’s fourth-tier. Unlike Cara Henderson, the drop down the divisions did not provide him with the desired effect.
Having already found life outside the Celtic bubble difficult to adjust to in fellow Premiership side Motherwell, Stirling was also going to be an uphill battle.
“I was just obviously experienced at a good standard for a number of years, and I wasn’t used to it, so it was pretty difficult to go back to that way, when you were at such a high level,” he says.
Beedham would eventually move to junior football (akin to non-league in England) club Ashfield F.C., winning a league title and seeing his passion for the game relit, albeit briefly.
“It was a complete chore, going to training and stuff, and that’s when I knew I’m just going to stop this,” he says.
“I was proud of even being a Celtic, to be honest, because you just kind of pinch yourself. I thought there was a lot of boys that had so much more ability and stuff, just for me to be there.“
Eventually Beedham decided to hang up his boots entirely. Not a decision he took lightly or one he regrets, speaking about his time in the game with pride.
“Once you’ve been at Celtic and you go down the levels, it’s hard to think you’ve done well or had a good career.
“But my time at Celtic were some of the best years of my life. We the European Cup at our age level under 13 and 14 and played at some amazing stadiums in Belgium, Holland and Ireland.
“Especially in Dublin, that was amazing. It’s full of Celtic fans so there were about 4,000 coming just to see us. We were only 13 at the time, so it was a class experience.”
It was at eighteen that Beedham began planning for life outside of football, taking on an apprenticeship before eventually going full-time as a fire security engineer. Just like Henderson and Wardrop, his heart is still green and white, attending games when he can.
“It’s getting to the stage where there are boys I’ve with and against playing at that level. You see them and there are ‘what ifs’.
But I’m not jealous of that whatsoever because they’re all good boys, they’re all much better players and they deserve it.”
Create your own user feedback survey“At the time it was the Celtic first-team. But I’ve realised, it doesn’t matter if you’ve got the best job in the world, it’s just being happy with your situation. I’ve got great pals, great family and doing well with my job in the morning, so I think that’s quite a success for me.”
