Scott Agnew and Ian Murray’s aggressive streak runs so deep, the Raith double act can’t end a coaching session and not using a wager on a penalty shoot-out. And assistant Aggy says Rovers followers can wager on their staff working time beyond regulation in a bid to outlast the Championship opposition.
The place one goes, the opposite follows with Stark’s Park now their fourth vacation spot collectively. Murray took Agnew with him from Dumbarton to St Mirren then Airdrie, the place he additionally gave him the No.2 gig. The 34-year-old’s left peg is famend for set-piece precision however it’s his presentation expertise gaining better floor in soccer circles.
Because the proprietor of a private coach enterprise, he’s been out speaking to children with Andy Robertson ’s AR26 Charity and again on the Buddies serving to boys going part-time. From classroom to dressing room, discovering a option to get the perfect out of a bunch that watched the play-offs unfold final season is driving the previous Rangers youth on.
He stated: “If you could find somebody that you just work nicely with, you’re more likely to be extra profitable I consider. It felt pure (coming to Raith), the supervisor has by no means hidden the very fact he desires me to be his No.2.
“We all the time spoke about, if he was to get a chance, would I be capable to include him, so I wasn’t shocked. Actually on a matchday he’s most likely slightly bit extra animated than me on the sidelines. However it works as a result of I can simply drop out and in in his ear.
“Final yr it labored very well as a result of loads of the time I used to be on the pitch so it gave me a chance to see it from the gamers’ perspective as nicely. I’m simply there to assist him and attempt to hold him calm as finest as I can!
“Even myself and the supervisor, we’ll play one another at penalties after each coaching session. I feel my penalties are higher now than they've ever been as a result of I’m in a contest with the supervisor day-after-day – we should hit about 20 every.
“There’s all the time one thing on the road. Coffees, lunch, if we’re off the following day there may very well be a pint on the road. Delight it may very well be, that’s the most important one. We hold one of many younger goalies out. They most likely hate it however myself and the supervisor like it. It began at Airdrie, I feel he used to play the goalie coach then I acquired wheeled in.”
Agnew remains to be registered to play however, in contrast to final season, “will solely play when and if required” as teaching dominates his focus.
Many, when awarded a 25-yard free-kick, want to carry on a man dubbed a “magician” in coaching by an ex-team-mate in MailSport.
“Aye hopefully… then take me again off,” laughed Agnew, a luxurious that won't be afforded to a staff looking promotion.
He stated: “Final yr we had unbelievable footballers in our staff (at Airdrie) however the work price was unbelievable. If you happen to have a look at Adam Frizzell, Dylan Easton, who're once more great footballers however they’re not simply that.
“Typically when you might have good gamers, they may neglect the working facet. However everybody in that staff final yr was working as laborious as they presumably might and so they knew they needed to – the boys didn’t permit the requirements to slide.
“It will likely be the identical at Raith, we’ll demand that and there will probably be gamers throughout the group who will demand it as nicely. It’s a very good group and we’ll look to carry our personal in who know us, understand how we work and may enhance the staff.
“It’s an excellent league we’re going into and finally there’s a chance to get to the Premiership, so I’m actually excited by it. I’m excited by the gamers we’ve acquired on the membership.”
It’s seven years since Agnew and a pal began The Health Group in Glasgow – now they’ve greater than 20 full-time employees and dealing UK-wide. PFA Scotland and their counterparts down south ship gamers their method, the concept being to open up minds and choices to a life the place soccer because the be-all and end-all typically isn’t sustainable.
Agnew stated: “There are boys who perhaps fall out of full-time soccer and do it, it turns into their profession – health – and it virtually replaces soccer. There’s the choice. Lawrence Shankland did it when he was at Ayr simply to earn extra cash spherical about soccer. Clearly he has kicked on and is now a world participant.
“There’s no proper or mistaken option to do it, the qualifications are helpful no matter how your profession is panning out. There are many completely different alternatives for gamers and it's one thing we ought to be .
“I feel years and years in the past, when you have been in full-time soccer, you have been informed to concentrate on that and that solely, virtually don’t take your eye off the ball. However the mindset has switched. It takes a little bit of stress off your soccer.”
Go to thefitnessgrp.co.uk/programs/personal-training-courses/ for more information.
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