Stern Celts boss says fat players aren’t welcome
Brendan Rodgers has warned his super-fit Celts if any player puts on just two and a half kilos of extra weight – they’ll be banished from firstteam training.
The me t icu lous Parkhead gaf fer was delighted to see his squad return ahead of the new season in peak condition.
He says the difference now to when he first arrived at the club is night and day.
Rodgers claims test results for Celtic’s fittest player when he took over from Ronny Deila – are now among his lowest.
And he’s adamant if any of his stars don’t keep themselves in shape they simply won’t train with their teammates.
Ahead of the new c amp a i g n Rodgers said: “On the first day back , everyone was in pe a k condition – that certainly wasn’ t the case when I came in.
“Where the culture is now at Celtic, our worst player this season in terms of tests and measurements was our best when I arrived.
“That change doesn’t happen overnight. You have to create it and cultivate it.
“Back in the old school, you came back to get fit. But the message now is you come back fit, then we’ll add to it.
“The players have done a battery of tests with the medical and sports science team.
“We analyse every part of their performance. We ask the players to be the best they can be every day – not just when they want to.
“There’s no hiding place for players and they know if they come in two and half kilos over their best weight they won’t train with the squad.
“It’s very simple. That means they have to keep an eye on how they come back for pre-season. And we have players who have come back having lost kilos and are in a really good condition.”
Rodgers believes the culture he’s created helps new signings at Celtic because they immediately see t he standard set by the veteran members.
He said: “In order to play with intensity and aggression you have to be super- fit nowadays.
“Science in the British game has d e f ini t el y improved over the years.
“The game has evolved and you have to keep up.
“These are professional players. Of course, you have to go away and relax, enjoy yourself over the summer break.
“But the beauty of what we’ve created here is that new players, like young Lewis Morgan, see straight away that you’re judged at a higher standard at the big clubs.
“You have to feel that on the very first day you walk in here. If you embrace it, you’ll improve.”