Callum: Our early risers Well up for Euro adventure
Callum Slattery knows that after a week of 6am alarm calls, Motherwell won’t be caught sleeping when it comes to the early Europa Conference League action.
The Steelmen have just s igned of f f rom thei r pre-season tour in Austria.
Their base, in front of the Dachstein mountains , mi g h t have been picturesque but morning runs, double sessions and cold water dips in the Traun river ensured it challenged Graham Alexander’s squad physically and mentally.
Slattery reckons it is just what they need as they get ready to make their European bow a week on Thursday, awaiting the winners of the Sligo Rovers v Bala Town tie.
The Irish side lead 2-1 and will have home advantage on Thursday.
Slattery said: “We have been getting up at 6 am so it has been nice and early. It is good because it gets us into a routine and ready for the day. I have not experienced it before but it has been good and the lads have really enjoyed it.
“It has been a fast start to pre-season. We are out here getting ready for some big games ahead. We have plenty of work to do in the off-season that made it a bit easier coming back in.
“It has been straight to work and pre- season is tough but it is needed for the season ahead.
“Coming away you are spending 24 hours together. It is important because we have a couple of new lads in and a lot of the boys didn’t see each other over the summer. It has been a case of getting the bond back on and off the pitch.”
This will be Slattery’s f irst taste of European football. He knew playing in the Scottish Premiership offered that opportunity and that was one of the reasons why he decided to make the move from Southampton last season.
He said: “There were a lot of attractions, l ike the opportunity for European football coming up.
“Europe was a big thing and we’ve achieved that. It will be a good experience.
“We will keep an eye on the game when it comes up. We finished fifth in the table and it is great for the club to have these big European games coming up.
“It will be my first proper European experience and it will be a first for a lot of the boys.”
S l a t t e r y ha s been delighted with the way his move to Motherwell has gone. He has now completed his first full season as a first-team regular a n d admits it has been a s t e p up f rom academy football with Southampton. He aims to kick on and give Motherwell even more of a creative spark.
He said: “To hit the ground and have a first full season was good.
“It is very different and I would say it was l ike stepping into the real world of football, out of the bubble, f inding your feet and fighting for a place in a good squad. It has been good and I enjoyed it.
“I am looking to kick on, improve my game and my performances from last season. I want more goals and assists.
“I thought it was a good season last year both individually and collectively and I want to kick on. That is part of my game to add that bit of spark.”