Dundee United fans wondering if their favourites are grafting during pre-season can rest assured.
As the players trudged past the Press pack – well, Tom Duthie of the Tele and my good self to be precise – after a particularly tough training session, you could tell that manager Jackie McNamara and his coaching team had put them through the mill.
Their training base at Johnstown House in the heart of the Irish countryside may be swanky but this is no cosy break away.
Mind you, it is easy to see why the Emerald Isle has been a popular choice of summer destination for United for several years now.
The management and players get the seclusion and peace they are looking for but are only an hour or so away from Dublin.
Also, with the domestic football season in full swing over here they are competing against match-fit players in their friendly games, with Bohemians up next on Saturday.
