3/1 To Win
Richard Keogh says he and the rest of Derby County’s players are fully prepared for what Gary Rowett has up his sleeve for this summer’s pre-season campaign.
The Rams report back for duty on Wednesday 28th June and the work will begin in earnest for the 2017/18 season.
No stone is being left unturned by Rowett as he aims to ensure his players are flying from the off when they get their Sky Bet Championship campaign up and running.
That process started during the off season.
Craig Bryson labelled it a ‘pre pre-season’ in which each of Derby’s players were having to stick to a tailored fitness schedule produced by the club’s sport science department.
That, alone, was designed in order to make sure the squad are fully prepared for what Rowett has planned – starting with an intense training camp in Tenerife at the beginning of July.
Looking ahead, Keogh told RamsTV: “The manager has warned us what to expect! That is, though, what it is about and as a player you have got to appreciate that side of it.
“It’s a running game at times, so you have got to be physical, you have got to put in the hard graft and that will count for a lot when the season comes around again.
“It’s going to be a tasty pre-season! The manager wants us to hit the ground running when we return and be in a position to do it from the first day we return, but knowing the lads here, that won’t be a problem. We will be ready.”
Having been part of the Republic of Ireland squad earlier this month, there is no question that Keogh, the 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international defender, will arrive back at Derby in a position to hit the ground running.
He added: “That’s what it has been like for me for the last four summers! Being away with the international team means that I will be coming back in good shape and will be able to get straight back into it.
“I’m excited for next year and I think we will come back to a really good feeling that has been built up since the manager joined us.
“He’s been very positive about what he expects from us and what is going to happen over the summer.”
