Summary
AS IF a young player of the year nomination wasn't enough, Chris Burke this week made an unwitting pitch for understatement of the century. At the Scottish Professional Football Association's awards launch, the Rangers winger was asked what he thought on seeing Ibrox manager-in-waiting Paul le Guen pictured during his Saharan slog, the Marathon des Sables - a 151-mile, 120- degree heat, desert endurance test that has sent the odd competitor to an early grave. "He looks like a strong character," said Burke matter-of-factly, before chuckling at the baldness of the comment. Yet Le Guen might be encouraged that the 22-year-old doesn't appear one to fuss over a member of the football family showing such physical and psychological fortitude. The right-sided midfielder gives every impression that no less should be demanded from anyone in his chosen profession. And his development this season has been an oasis in the desert for Rangers precisely because he has pushed himself in mind and body; the latter under the direction of fitness coach Frank Nuttall.
Branded a wuss for fainting under the effects of a virus at Aberdeen on the opening day last season, Burke is now being lauded as a whizz for feinting past opponents using pace, power and poise. The wide man has yet to employ these attributes to winning effect in an Old Firm encounter. He will seek to change that at Celtic Park this afternoon as Alex McLeish's men chase the victory required to retain any real prospect of Champions League football next season - a competition that would witness a beefed-up Burke.See the full content of this document
Extract
Burke's Show of Strength
"I was a bit lightweight last season and got flung about a lot," the player said. "With Frank coming in, the doctor and gaffer had a meeting and decided I had to toughen up to be in the team. I did upper body work over the summer but nothing happens straight away and it took time to build on...
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