Scotland, UK – At the end of September 2025, 12 technical directors from across the United States made their way to Scotland for an international trip to experience the Scottish football culture. They visited five stadiums and went to two matches while immersing themselves in the local lifestyle.
The group started at Tannadice Park, where they met the CEO as well as the Academy Manager for Dundee United. After discussing improvements in individual development plans (IDPs) for players, the next stop was due south to Edinburgh’s oldest football club.
After arriving in Edinburgh, the group visited the training space for Heart of Midlothian FC, the Oriam, which is Scotland’s national performance center and is also home to the Scottish Rugby Union, the Scottish FA and more. After a tour of the facility, it was time to experience the first team training as Heart’s Manager Derek McInnes allowed the group to be on the touchline for the entire session.
While in the Festival City, the highlight was attending the Edinburgh Derby, a match historically between the Hearts and the Hibs (Hibernian FC). Prior to the game, the atmosphere around Tynecastle Park in the center of the city was buzzing. The match, however, was a 0-0 up until stoppage time. A late substitution managed to cross a ball in for his center back who volleyed it in to win the match, to which the home stadium erupted.
For Kentucky’s Technical Director Derek Willis, the experience of seeing the Heart’s first team training and their match was the most memorable part of the trip. “Leading up to the game, people had mentioned it was the biggest match of the year, and after they won, the atmosphere was electric.”
After an exciting night, the group made their way west to visit Ibrox Stadium, home to Rangers FC in Glasgow. They were lucky enough to catch the first half of the Rangers FC Women vs St Johnstone Women in the SKY Sports Cup. The home team was crushing the opponent at halftime, 9-0.
The Managing Director of Rangers Women FC, Donald Gillies, took the group on a tour of the Rangers facilities which were flooded with blue and red. The group got to witness some of the U17 training session, saw the weight room and first team changing room, and listened to a presentation from Gillies in the media room.
A visit to the Scottish FA at Hampden Park followed the Ibrox visit, with the Head of Coach Education and Development, Ritchie Wilson, giving the group a presentation on the organization’s structure and program updates.
The group made their way to the other side of Glasgow to Celtic Park (or Parkhead), home to Celtic FC, the largest stadium in Scotland. It was the home team versus Motherwell, and the chants between the supporters were nonstop throughout the match. After Motherwell took the lead in the second half 2-1, Celtic bounced back in the 69th minute, tying the game. And after a tense 20 minutes following that, the Celts secured the win in stoppage time with a late goal.
For Willis, the football culture in the north country is different and exciting. “Super intense atmosphere, super raucous, super intense. Both games we went to had 90th minute winners.”
And for anyone looking to travel to Scotland for more than just football, Willis said he loved it and will be back. “Super friendly atmosphere and very welcoming people.”
You can see photos and read more about the trip from Willis at https://sway.cloud.microsoft/jByXxL3o0kMWy8gv?ref=Link