Exclusive:Hibs players pulling extra shifts in bid to stop rot as new boss slashes days off in tougher training schedule
Sunday recovery sessions and four-day build-up to embed new ideas
Hibs have been putting in extra shifts in a bid to adapt to new manager Marink Reedijk’s up-tempo style, with the Dutch coach introducing a demanding training schedule during his first weeks at the helm. And it’s about to get even tougher as they head into a crucial week of league and cup action.
Reedijk works on a four-day build-up to games, with no break in between. And he’s ordered players to report to Hibernian Training Centre on the day AFTER matches for recovery sessions. On a normal Saturday-to-Saturday programme, then, players will get just one day - Monday - off.
Change to David Gray programme
Under previous manager David Gray, Hibs worked to a more standardised UK model of training. Allowed to recover at home the day after a Saturday game, players would report back to HTC for sessions on a Monday and Tuesday, be given the Wednesday off, then return for more work on a Thursday and Friday.
Reedijk doesn’t like an interruption to his training cycle, especially as he’s looking to embed so many new ideas in a team undergoing a complete change of formation and philosophy. He believes that the four-day block gives his players the best chance of learning the lessons needed to drag Hibs away from their current position at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.
Rare respite thanks to Celtic Sunday switch
Although players were at HTC for recovery work on Sunday, less than 24 hours after a demoralising home loss to Falkirk that saw Reedijk’s men slip to the foot of the table, the past couple of days have offered some respite from the new rota. With this weekend’s visit of Celtic pushed back to Sunday to allow for the title holders’ European involvement, the gaffer was able to give his team Monday and today off.
But that Scottish Premiership clash with the reigning champions kicks off a gruelling week of football. Hibs follow up their Easter Road clash with the Hoops by travelling to Paisley for a midweek league clash with St Mirren, then head to Hampden to face Hearts in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final on Sunday week – a schedule leaving little room for a break.
Without a win in their last eight league home games, having lost seven and drawn just once during a slump that stretches back to April, Hibs have lost both of their games since Reedijk replaced Gray early in the international break, falling to a 1-0 defeat away to Dundee United before Saturday’s crushing set-back against the Bairns.