Rice: This isn’t a holiday
St Mirren assistant Brian Rice insists Saints are expected to sweat it out in the south of Spain.
The former Hibs and Nottingham Forest favourite was appointed Alan Stubbs’ right-hand man on Saturday as he departed Inverness Caley Thistle to join the recently promoted Buddies.
And the 54-year-old wasted no time in kicking off his St Mirren career as he jetted off to La Manga with the side on Monday morning.
Rice, Stubbs and first-team coach Darren Jackson have been putting the players through their paces in the sweltering Spanish conditions throughout the week.
And Rice insists that the men under his charge need no reminding that they aren’t there for a jolly or to top up their tans.
He said: “It’s not a holiday, this is anything but a holiday. If you want a holiday then stay back in Paisley.
“This is a working holiday. You work hard and you earn your rest.
“You are almost guaranteed the good weather here – I know the weather back home is good just now.
“You come to places like this and you can control the boys more with things like their eating habits and their sleeping habits.
“It allows the boys to bond, you get to know each other better and it creates that camaraderie within the club.
“It is going to be a difficult season for everyone. There are some new players, a new coaching staff and a new manager so I think we all need to gel quickly.
“It is fantastic to be out here. We are living next to each other, we are working together, running together, training together so that can only be a good thing.
“Being in these surroundings though with total focus on themselves and their training, it helps everyone.
“I’ve been made to feel very welcome by the staff and the players and it’s great to be on the trip. I’m just delighted to be at the club.”
Rice is no stranger to St Mirren having come up against them on no less than four occasions last season.
As assistant manager to John Robertson at Inverness, Rice insists he is well versed in the talent that he and Stubbs have at their disposal.
And he believes that the players have earned their right to show what they can do in Scotland’s top flight.
He added: “These players were outstanding last season and they deserve their chance in the Premiership. The club deserves to be in the Premiership.
“It is not about individuals. We win together, we lose together so we are all in this as one.
“I saw a lot of St Mirren last season because I came up against them a few times when I was at Inverness.
“I know a great deal about the players that are here and I know their strengths and weaknesses. But this is a club that should be in the Premiership in my opinion.”