Soccer: Knights spared gut-busting training runs

There will be a collective sigh of relief from the NZ Knights players when they get down to the serious business of preparing for their initial A-League season next week.

Their sports scientist/trainer Kenny McMillan does not see running as having a major role in team preparation, in contrast to days gone by.

Unlike the "good old days", including New Zealand's 1982 World Cup campaign which was also under the watchful eye of Knights boss John Adshead, running for running's sake is no longer a high priority.

The players can still expect to have to leg it under McMillan but not do the infamous 12-minute runs or the 400m reps.

"They can expect to do some running, but 90 per cent of their work will be with a ball," said McMillan, who has come to the Knights on a 10-month release from Scottish giant Celtic.

"Instead of a 12-minute run, they might have three four-minute small-sided games which will be just as intensive," he said.

McMillan places a huge emphasis on using heart-rate monitors and will use that data in tailoring individual programmes for the squad.

Through his studies - he has two masters degrees and is completing his PhD in sports science - and research, some in conjunction with two Norwegian professors, McMillan has devised football-specific training programmes.

He used these during his six years at Celtic - during which time they won the Scottish League three times and were close runners-up twice - and is highly regarded by the club and others.

McMillan is already into his work here and looking forward to the challenge.

"In Scotland our pre-season is only three or four weeks," said McMillan. "Here I have nine to 10 weeks and should be able to get the players extremely fit."

McMillan, 28, said he was "just an average player" and "never good enough to be a professional footballer". Working with the players is obviously next best.

Why the Knights?

"I had just finished the English FA trainers award - a two-year course - and saw an advertisement on the FA website," said McMillan.

Things moved quickly and Celtic agreed to let McMillan take a 10-month break and head Downunder.

Adshead is keen to work with such an expert.

"We had 16 replies from well-qualified candidates but there was no one of his stature," said Adshead.

"The Knights went to Dr Andrew Fossett, the head of sports science at Massey University who helped us find the specialist we needed.

"After our discussions with Kenny [McMillan] we could tell he was nervous about coming here but when his club said he could go for a year he decided to come," said Adshead.

"Over the next year we will all learn so much from him. After this, who knows, he might go back to the really big time with one of the big clubs.

"That is no different than what we want for our players. We want to see them, and him, get their chance at the highest level."

As well as working closely with the Knights staff and players on fitness programmes, McMillan will also take responsibility for pre-match travel arrangements, hydration, nutrition and pre-match meals, all in a scientific manner designed to turn the best off-field preparation into the best possible on-field performance.

Kenny McMillan

Born: November 29, 1976

Where: Irvine, Scotland

University: Glasgow

Occupation: Sports scientist

Previous club: Celtic FC, from August 1999

* Season tickets for the Knights' 12 home games (including the two pre-season cup games) are available at North Harbour Stadium or www.knightsfc.com ($170 adult, $98 student/senior citizens, $45 under 16, under 5 free or family $400).