Five-a-day along with lots of sleep is Burke’s way ahead
Kilmarnock winger Chris Burke has attributed his sustained playing days to extra sleep and plenty of fruit and veg.
The 36-year-old, arguably the most consistent player at Rugby Park last term, signed a one-year extension to his contract earlier this month that will keep him in Ayrshire for another season.
And while he has already explored coaching options when his career does come to an end, he has no plans just yet to hang up his boots.
“I’ve changed a lot of things,” said Burke.
“My diet is different. I make up my own shakes in the morning for breakfast with probably two portions of veg and one fruit and then my lunch tends to be a vegan or vegetarian option. I’ll maybe have a more normal dinner because I don’t want to cut protein and meat out entirely.
“But I also try to make sure I am sleeping more than I used to. That might mean one night I’m in my bed for 9pm, so that I know I am fully rested and have enough energy as I look towards playing on a Saturday. Small things like just an extra half hour or 45 minute rest make a huge difference.
“I have always felt that small changes give you a big result. But, crucially, I think I have the same enthusiasm, the same passion and excitement for football now that I have ever had. I was lucky enough to work with Gordon Strachan when he was Scotland manager and he still had that fire and energy about him. You can imagine that would have been a big part of what sustained him as he played into his 40s with Leeds.”
Alex Dyer signed a twoyear deal last week as he took over from the ill-fated Angelo Alessio regime. And Burke has clarified the popularity of the appointment in the Rugby Park dressing room.
“Everyone was delighted with Alex getting the contract,” said Burke. “He knows what it is like to have success at the club, he knows what it is like to struggle. He knows the players, he knows what we need to bring in and he knows where he wants to go and the way he wants to play.
“I honestly feel that Kilmarnock are a club on the up. We all know how devastating the Covid-19 crisis has been but there is such strong camaraderie here that even in a global pandemic I still feel that we can come out of it with genuine intent to go and improve again.
“I never set myself targets such as goals or assists but rather it’s about improving on what I contributed to the team last season. This season I’m optimistic we can better that eighth-place finish and get ourselves back in the top six.”