CometSport spoke with new Stevenage signing Scott Cuthbert at Bragbury End after the club’s first team squad reported back for pre-season training. Read on for Max Mahoney’s exclusive.
Scott Cuthbert may have experienced the rarified air of Glasgow giants Celtic FC during the six years he spent at the club’s academy – but the experienced defender knows the first day back at pre-seaon wherever he plys his trade is going to be tough.
The 31-year-old former Luton Town captain experienced his first training session as a Stevenage player after signing for Boro boss Dino Maamria last month.
The centre-half, who was impressed enough by Maamria’s Lamex revolution to leave the newly-promoted Hatters and seek a second consecutive promotion admitted the first day at his new club was hard.
He said: “It was tough. We’ve done sprint tests, jump tests and similar.
“It takes it out of you – but it was nice to see the full squad out there and get the first session done.
“There was a lot of running, it was a very hard day – but in the first week of pre-season you expect that.”
Boss Maamria is taking his side to eastern Europe to put them through their paces at a high-altitude training camp in Slovenia.
The Broadhall Way outfit ended in a disappointing 16th place in League Two last term – but the demanding Maamria wants his team to hit the ground running by the time they face their opening fixtrure against Tranmere at the Lamex on Saturday, August 4.
The former Orient and St Mirren centre-half added: “I was away in Slovenia with Luton last year so it is always good to get away and have some team bonding.
“It’s important to get to know the staff and players and really gel. It’s only a short period of time and it be will be good to get away.”
With England set to face Belgium in their crucial, final Group G qualifying match the proud Scot is sanguine about the Gareth Southgate’s side.
A win for either side would see them top the group in what is essentially a play-off to determine who will finish winners of Group G.
Despite his Scottish roots Cuthbert is optimistic agbout English success – even if he wishes it was his native land that were in the Three Lions’ position.
The family man said with a smile: “I’ve a little girl so I haven’t had much of a chance to watch the World Cup.
“But I’ve seen a couple of England games, and as much as I joke about not wanting England to succeed, it’s nice to see them playing well – even if I would’ve liked Scotland to be there.”
Follow CometSport intern Max on Twitter @MahoneysMessage
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