Rangers manager Steven Gerrard believes the mental break from football is as valuable as any physical rest from action, as the club prepare to embark on a winter training camp in Tenerife.
It’s be a hectic first half of the season for the rookie manager and his team, with the season starting in early summer and maintaining a high level of intensity right through to the superb recent win over Celtic at Ibrox.
Now, preparing for what will likely be a dramatic end to the current campaign, Gerrard has highlighted the need to mentally switch off from the heavy schedule of matches.
As quoted by The Daily Mail, the Ibrox boss said:
Everybody needs this break. You can see it and feel it in the players, that they’re ready for a rest. It’s important to shut down and get away from football for a short period. They need a bit of family time and if they can get a bit of sun that would be ideal as well – just to recharge and freshen up.
The important thing is to switch off mentally.
It’s been full-on for us, with games smacking you in the face every three or four days. Do I need to switch off as well? I’ll try.
With just the league and Scottish Cup to play before May, minds can now be 100% focused on delivering major honours to supporters for the first time in years.
The Gers return to action in 12 days time against Cowdenbeath in the cup, which will serve as something of a warm up to a tricky trip to Scottish Premiership high flyers Kilmarnock the following mid-week.
I can’t wait to see how we’ve benefited from the extended break.