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From: “Katia M. Peltekian” <[email protected]>
Subject: Brewster goes Greek to give Inverness vital edge
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The Sunday Times, UK
July 24 2005
Brewster goes Greek to give Inverness vital edge
Craig Brewster is using foreign fitness techniques to improve
Inverness, while Dunfermline are focused on avoiding the relegation
fight. By Jason Bradshaw
IF CRAIG Brewster was a Michelin-starred chef, you might expect a
dash of Greek gastronomy fusing with the best of traditional Scots
fare. Few would look for the strong South American flavours in the
Dundonian’s recipe for success.
Having emerged in the past year as one of this country’s most
promising young managers, Brewster, with surprising assuredness, is
imprinting a truly cosmopolitan outlook on Inverness Caledonian
Thistle. While other clubs grunt and slog through the typical
Scottish pre-season, the Caley Thistle players have been doing it
very differently. Endless running is out. Lots of ball work and
individually-tailored heart and strength conditioning is in.
It’s all down to the huge impression Sergio Markarian made on
Brewster after the Scot parted with Dundee United to become a cult
hero in Greece during a five-year stint with Ionikos. A Uruguayan of
Armenian origin, Markarian, now 61, took this unheralded team to an
unprecedented fifth place in the league and into the Uefa Cup for the
first time in their history. He then guided Paraguay to the 2002
World Cup and later took Panathinaikos to the Champions League
quarter-finals, a first for Greece.
Brewster, still thriving as a striker at the age of 38, is an obvious
beneficiary of Markarian’s fitness methods. Ahead of Caley Thistle’s
second top-flight season, the Highlanders’ player-manager recalled
how the techniques helped him become all-time club record scorer at
Ionikos. `All of the players were amazed it wasn’t just a running
pre-season. We’d never seen the like. He kept it consistent right
through the year and I was so impressed with the effect he had on
us.’
This summer, Inverness kicked off the pre-season with two victories
and a defeat on the club’s first foreign tour in Denmark. `I told the
lads right from the start this summer I wasn’t one to run the legs
off them,’ Brewster stressed. `We work on everything, the whole
picture; strength, running, I’m a great believer that, where there is
a deficit of skill, you can go a long way towards making amends by
being strong, fit and organised. Then again, there is plenty of
ability in our squad and, hopefully, we can surprise a few teams
again.’
With only the former Kilmarnock striker Craig Dargo and Birmingham
City youngster Tom Parratt added, Brewster is under no illusions
regarding the difficult second season ahead. `In some respects,
nothing has changed from last season – survival is again our main
aim. But as professional footballers, you want to improve. The real
goal is to improve slightly on the eighth place we enjoyed last
season. I haven’t brought in a lot of players so far but, then again,
I’m happy with those I have.’
Brewster began last season at Dunfermline and his departure for the
Highlands contributed in no small way to the Fife side’s struggle for
survival. Local legend Jim Leishman was the best man available when
Davie Hay was dismissed with only three games remaining, and he is
now charged with trying to resurrect the club’s fortunes.
Leishman is more untouchable than Elliot Ness would have been around
the streets of East End Park, but financial restrictions as well as
losing two of their best players in goalkeeper Derek Stillie and
midfielder Barry Nicholson can only confirm his halo will at best be
roughed up during a tough campaign.
`At this stage everyone’s attitude and confidence is high,’ said
Leishman. `We’ve had a fine trip in Italy and we’re pleased with the
progress made in terms of fitness and team bonding.’
Mark Burchill has been recruited on a two-year deal from Hearts. Also
at the arrivals gate are Bryn Halliwell, the former Clyde goalkeeper,
and defender Scott Morrison from Aberdeen. Leishman is hopeful there
is a number of gems that may be unearthed for free through the club’s
youth policy. `The new lads have settled in very nicely and there is
also plenty of potential in the youth set-up,’ adds the manager.
`I’ve worked well with them in my former role, they just look at me
as a big pal.’ That is, until their first mistake.
The artificial surface has gone but puts Dunfermline at a very real
disadvantage. The estimated £500,000 it will cost to replace the
carpet has eradicated any transfer budget Leishman may have had,
while they might also play their first four games this season away
from home.
`It will be good to put that whole episode behind us in terms of all
the sniping that went on about the surface, now we can concentrate on
just playing the game. It’s going to be a hard season and we’re still
trying to sort out what money we will have available. If we can get
off to a great start we’ll be aiming for a top-six finish, if not we
might have to consolidate for another season.’