BE LIKE ANDY

Rodgers tells Celts to make Murray their role model

BRENDAN RODGERS has urged his Celtic players to learn from the world-beating dedication of Andy Murray and reap the rewards of devoting every aspect of their lives to improving as athletes.

And he believes that skipper scott Brown’s renewed diligence — rewarded with his best form for years — offers a first-hand example of what can be achieved.

Murray leads a famously spartan off-court existence in his pursuit of excellence, the new world No 1 going through tortures in training and giving up any food likely to take even a tenth of a percentage point off his performance.

Former Liverpool boss Rodgers, who has friends in the Murray backroom staff, has been determined to overhaul a more relaxed approach to fitness and nutrition allowed to creep in under Celtic predecessor Ronny Deila.

And he says Britain’s greatest-ever sportsman, winner of Wimbledon twice and the Us open once, along with two olympic golds and now officially the best player on the planet, should be a shining light for all scottish sports people.

‘What an example that boy is,’ said Rodgers. ‘Unbelievable. You’ve got great sports people in scotland and he’s

the biggest example for everyone. ‘A guy who, when he started, everyone said wasn’t strong enough. So what did he do? Changes his diet, gets stronger, more powerful — devotes his life to it. ‘He’s not there to pick up an award (a third BBC Sports Personality of the Year honour) because his training means everything. ‘It’s not the glitz and the glamour with Andy, it’s about being the best he can be. ‘If you want to get to the top of your sport and be the best, there’s your example there. ‘I know one of his coaches, Jamie Delgado, who has been close with him for years. His father was my Spanish tutor. ‘I know his sports scientist and he trains like a trooper. There’s no stone left unturned. That’s what it’s about. ‘When you have that mentality, as a footballer and a football nation, then you’re part the way there. ‘Then, if you have talent, which the country will still clearly have, then you have a chance. Worst-case scenario, you’re going to be athletes.’ Rodgers cited the transformation in nine months of skipper Brown — famously photographed slumped on the ground eating takeaway pizza after a night out in the build-up to last season’s League Cup final — as proof of what can be done when players are persuaded to commit to a better lifestyle. ‘I can look here at Scott Brown,’ said Rodgers, when asked for a footballing example who even comes close to Murray (pictured). ‘He’s devoted and getting the rewards. ‘He’s what an elite sportsperson looks like.’