Nottingham Forest striker Glenn Murray feels he is reaping the benefit of many years’ hard work now he is in the autumn of his career.
The forward is still going strong at the age of 37, with Reds boss Chris Hughton regularly praising his fitness levels.
But Murray says that hasn’t happened by accident. He has long been taking “extra time” to ensure he remains in the best physical shape, extolling the virtues of a healthy diet and ice baths to give him an optimal chance to keep playing.
The former Brighton and Hove Albion man has made 12 appearances for Forest since his January move to the club - eight of those coming in the starting XI.
He signed a short-term contract until the end of the season, but hasn’t ruled out continuing beyond that - be that at the City Ground or elsewhere.
“If you ask any professional, the older they get, the more they appreciate playing - even though it is hard to appreciate it in empty stadiums because it’s not quite the same,” Murray said.
“As long as my body feels good, I’ll continue. And at the minute, it feels good.
“I take extra time to look after it and look after my diet, but that isn’t a change that is made overnight, it’s a process that happens over years.
“When you step into your 30s as a professional footballer, that’s when you start looking at it a little bit differently. You look at your diet, ice baths and things like that.
“There’s a lot of help out there now; it’s just whether you want to take it and put the effort in. I seem to want to do that!”
Murray is one of several players in the Reds dressing room with plenty of experience - a group who the next generation can look up to.
“I think younger players can only be helped if they want to be helped,” he said. “We all know what we were like when we were younger - a lot of us think we’ve got all the answers!
“I’m not referring to this squad, but just in general. I’m here to bounce off, if they want to ask me questions.
“I think I’ve got a good work ethic, so I try to get into the gym every morning and do some bits. That’s another part of keeping my body right.
“Hopefully they see that from afar and think, ‘if he can be in the gym at such and such a time, why can’t I?’.
“The world is their oyster for kids in football these days, especially if they are starting out at this level already.”
