Ryan Kelleher warns Brentford’s pre-season is brutal
Brentford’s pre-season preparations in Cascais are pushing the squad to their limits, according to goalkeeper Ryan Kelleher. The former Liverpool shot-stopper says the gruelling schedule is exactly what the west Londoners need ahead of their second season under Keith Andrews.
What Kelleher said about Brentford’s pre-season
Kelleher described the camp as tough but beneficial, with the squad returning in excellent shape. “It’s been a tough camp but it’s been good,” he told reporters. “Everyone has come back in really good shape, which has given us a basis to work really hard in this camp.”
The 28-year-old added that the environment in Cascais mirrors last year’s set-up. “We came here last year and it’s a really nice set-up,” he said. “It’s just been more of the same of what we’ve done before-getting used to our surroundings again and getting back into it, then pushing and working on the things we need to work on.”
Why the intensity matters for Brentford
Kelleher stressed that the physical demands are intentional. “We’re going to get pushed to our limits out here, which is what we need in pre-season,” he explained. “So we’ll work as hard as we can and give everything.”
He also highlighted the squad’s fitness levels, noting that everyone returned in top condition. “Everyone has come back in really good shape, which has given us a basis to work really hard in this camp,” Kelleher said.
Building relationships in Cascais
Beyond training, Kelleher emphasised the importance of bonding with teammates. “From a training aspect it was good, but also getting to know the lads was the most important thing,” he said. “Not just in training but around the hotel and doing stuff outside of football was really important for me to get to know the lads and build relationships.”
He praised the new arrivals, adding that their integration has been seamless. “We have a few new lads as well so I’m sure that’ll help them settle in,” Kelleher said. “They’re really good lads and we would expect nothing less.”
Kelleher’s ambitions for Brentford’s new season
Looking ahead to his second term at Brentford, Kelleher admitted his first season took time to adjust. “Last year was my first season and it takes some time to adjust but I was happy,” he said. “As first season’s go, it was good.”
Now, he’s aiming to push further. “In this season, I’m hoping to push on and do even more,” Kelleher added. “Everyone wants to play in that first game, so we’ll be pushing as hard as we can to be ready for that.”
