Hard Yards Worth It

Richard Keogh insists everyone in the Derby County camp is relishing the prospect of ‘putting in the hard yards’ at their training camp in Tenerife.

After being given some extra time off following his end-of-season international commitments with the Republic of Ireland, the Derby skipper linked up with the squad on Sunday as they flew out to the Canary Islands.

The week-long stay in the south of Tenerife, with the Rams heading back home on Saturday, has presented an early opportunity for Gary Rowett’s squad to spend some time together as a group in the lead-up for the 2017/18 season.

Keogh, 30, is already impressed with the spirit in the Derby camp ahead of the new campaign – and says there’s a determination to tackle the rigours of the training camp head on, knowing the Rams will only reap the rewards of their hard work further down the line.

He told RamsTV: “It’s great to link up with the boys and be at this great facility.

“It’s important to come on this trip and the manager has touched on it already; it’s not only a chance to train physically hard but also generate that togetherness which will be important throughout the season.

“There’s a really good vibe around the boys to be honest. I know they met up again a few days before us international lads came back, but there seems to be a good spirit around the place.

“It’s going to be exciting. We’re working hard and the sessions are tough, but that’s what it is about.

“You have to put the hard yards in and you get out what you put in. We have a good group that is prepared to work hard and I am sure we’ll feel good about this week come Friday.”

He added: “We’ve come away quite early and that’s good for the physical and tactical side of the game.

“It’s rolled all into one and it is perhaps a bit more demanding because of the heat, but we’ll feel better for it by the end of the week and when the games kick off.

“Mentally and physically, it’s going to be a challenging week but that’s what we need for the season ahead.

“It’s exciting to think the season isn’t far away and we have a big game at Sunderland to kick it all off.”

Keogh’s summer break proved to be a brief one owing to Ireland’s three matches following the end of the 2016/17 season.

They played two friendlies, against Mexico and Uruguay, before facing Austria in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Importantly, Keogh managed to get some family time and feels refreshed and ready to go again.

He said: “I had a short break but you get itchy feet anyway so it’s nice to be around everyone again.

“It was important to have a period to switch off and not think about football for a bit, spending a bit of quality time with my wife and son.

“With so many games in club football and also with Ireland, it was a long season.

“I think mentally you need that switch off period. Physically I feel good but to have that mental break, but I love this job and no matter how old you get there’s always that buzz of coming back.”