WE'LL BE READY TO GO AND PLAY

Russ keeps Kiddy troops fit

WHATSAPP & MENTAL WELLBEING

Communication is key. We’re in constant contact with every single one of the players through our WhatsApp group. Some of it is light-hearted, like quizzes, and then there is the more serious stuff of training programmes from our strength and conditioning coach.

Before the lockdown, it would have been really easy to bring the lads into training and just separate them into small groups to do some runs. But you’ve got to listen to the government so we’ve given them conditioning programmes to have an hour on their own.

They’re still getting paid and have still got to keep themselves in tip-top condition. We trust them all to look after themselves and their families in this tough time.

We’ve also been sending over some football documentary suggestions. There was a recent Euro ’96 one and even a Neil Warnock one from a few years ago. I’ve always found them fascinating and they are a light watch because I know some of the stresses the lads will be going through at the moment.