Target practice proves costly

KIT man Steve Cross is the major injury concern among Athletic’s party in Stirling.

A large bandage has appeared around his knee, with cartilage damage a worry. Whether that or the training balls disappearing way beyond the shrubbery behind the goal on the training field caused him more pain, is open to debate.

A recovery session was the order of the morning for the players in the aftermath of the previous evening’s 1-0 defeat to St Mirren.

In keeping with what was on occasion a spicy affair in friendly terms – Jordan Bove left his calling card with one late tackle – there was competitiveness aplenty in the game of small-sided football tennis that was set up.

RALLIES

There weren’t an awful lot of epic baseline rallies, but there was plenty of playful banter flying around on a pleasant, sunny morning north of the border.

After that it was lunch back at the players’ accomodation in student quarters – but not before Athletic’s media man Luke Ingram took on a challenge set by sports science guru Anthony White.

He looked quite pleased to get a time of under three minutes for a set of line runs (goal line to six yard box and back, goal line to 18-yard box, to halfway and so on).

No world records were broken in the attempt, which looked quite painful. Manager Darren Kelly had talked about taking it on himself, then mysteriously exited the scene.

From there on in, the players had the day to themselves and for some there was a trip to Nando’s in Stirling for dinner, while Cross and coach Jim Harvey took a trip to St Andrew’s in the afternoon to catch some of the Open golf.

Assistant manager Dean Holden and Tom Hart had a long chat near the sports centre with Stenhousemuir’s manager Brown Ferguson, picking the brains of a man who doubles up his role with that as a performance lifestyle advisor with the Sportscotland Institute of Sport.

Olympic curling star Eve Muirhead was spotted sitting enjoying a coffee.

Sadly, the weather was forecast to take a turn for the worse today. At least that way everyone will get a fully rounded Scottish experience.