BOFFINS at Renfrewshire's university are teaming up with football giants Celtic to deliver a sports science project.

The new partnership will see the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) use its sports and exercise science expertise to support the Glasgow club's youth academy.

Led by Vish Unnithan, Professor of Paediatric Exercise Physiology at UWS, the partnership will also give three of its PhD students the chance to work alongside Celtic, supporting elite youth football development.

Undertaking research and providing expert insights, the PhD students will focus on strength and conditioning, sports nutrition and overall readiness to play in elite youth football.

Professor Unnithan said: “Everyone within the Division of Sport and Exercise at UWS is absolutely delighted to be working with Celtic to support the development of the next generation of young football talent.

“It marks another professional football club to work with our talented team and we are incredibly pleased to be able to offer this fantastic opportunity to our PhD students, who will play an integral role in aiding the development of Celtic’s young players.”

Celtic are the latest professional football club to join forces with the sports and exercise science team at UWS, which has previously worked with the likes of Barcelona.

Jack Nayler, Celtic's head of sports science, said: “We are really pleased to strike up this partnership with UWS.

"The academy is an important strategic priority for the club and being able to expand our support and understanding through innovative research will help to keep us at the forefront of practice in elite youth development.”

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

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