The Celtic FC Academy are heading off to the States in April for the Generation adidas Cup, which Head of the Academy Chris McCart says will be a great experience for the two young squads at such a big tournament.

A total of 80 professional academies including MLS teams, Manchester United, River Plate, Flamengo and of course Celtic, will be playing in the elite youth tournament at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Dallas, Texas.

McCart said the trip and the travel, in particular, will help to replicate what first-team football is like: travelling to European games, domestic travel and even pre-season matches further afield.

Educating the young Hoops further on how they travel to games, how they prepare, and the nutrition needed to fuel themselves.

He said: “Also, the tactical elements, playing against teams from different cultures and how they adapt to that and how they evolve throughout the tournament.”

McCart added it’s important the Academy can offer different opportunities to assist with development, and this tournament run by the MLS and Celtic’s major sponsors adidas presents an “outstanding opportunity” to travel and play against some of the best teams.

“The European teams are invited as guests, but also the MLS teams are at a very high standard.”

Following on from the pandemic. McCart said the Academy is now getting back up and running properly after a difficult period.

“This is our real first trip in two years. So we're hoping this is a knock on effect, because ultimately we will try to give that experience to all the players within Celtic’s Academy,” he added.

<< Generation adidas Cup details >>

Celtic under-18s’ manager, Stuart McLaren is taking charge of the 17s’ squad for the tournament. He said all the players and staff are, obviously, looking forward to the trip to Texas.

He said: “It’s an opportunity to take the boys into a completely different environment, playing against teams with different styles, and we're expecting the level to be extremely high as well.”

McLaren agreed with McCart that this will start to give the Academy players further understanding of what it really means to be a full-time footballer as well as teaching them the real demands of tournament football.

He said: “We've played two games a week in the last three weeks, and that was in part done deliberately so that we could get the boys exposed to something like what the demands are.

“First-team level tournament football presents an even greater demand, particularly the format with this one. We will play seven games in eight days, so I think there’s huge benefit with that.”

For many this will be their first trip to Texas and America, an experience that is not to be glossed over said McLaren.

“The priority has to be the performance in the football arena, but this is also a huge life experience. Right from all the stresses and strains of travelling to being in a completely different part of the world with a different culture.”

adidas Generation Cup in Dallas an “incredible life experience” for Celtic’s Academy Bhoys