Celtic’s Cristian Gamboa is set to play for Costa Rica at the World Cup this summer.
Celtic defender Cristian Gamboa has revealed to The Scottish Sun that he has hired a personal trainer in order to be fit enough to play at this summer’s World Cup.
Gamboa was one of the stars of the last World Cup, helping Costa Rica reach the quarter-finals in a remarkable run, before earning a move from Rosenborg to West Bromwich Albion off the back of his displays.
The right back’s time at The Hawthorns proved to be a nightmare as he sat on the fringes under Alan Irvine and then Tony Pulis, eventually leaving the club for Celtic in 2016.
However, Gamboa hasn’t found first-team football easy to come by with the Bhoys either, as he has made just three appearances in all competitions, becoming a forgotten man under Brendan Rodgers.
The problem for the 28-year-old is that he figures to be key for Costa Rica again this summer, and his lack of playing time may put his World Cup dream in jeopardy.
Now, Gamboa has told The Scottish Sun that he has actually hired a personal trainer to keep him fit until the World Cup, meaning he should still be in peak condition to represent his country in Russia.
Gamboa noted that he has to think about himself so close to the World Cup, but he can’t complain about Rodgers’ decision not to play him – and suggests he doesn’t even know where he would go if he wanted to leave Celtic.
“It is a difficult situation and it is not ideal. But I just have to make sure I am fit and I am ready for the World Cup,” said Gamboa. “The good thing is that I know Costa Rica trust me a lot. I have played 70-odd games for them and the manager knows I have experience of playing in a World Cup. I can only take what Celtic give me and hopefully be ready. The World Cup is a massive thing and that’s why I’m doing all that I can. I cannot demand to play in every game as that is not my decision. That’s why I have being doing extra sessions after training. I have brought a personal trainer over from Spain to help me. I need to think about myself now. I have been doing a lot extra in the gym because I know the situation at Celtic. I cannot demand to play in every game as that is not my decision. That’s why I have being doing extra sessions after training. I have brought a personal trainer over from Spain to help me. I need to think about myself now.”
“I have been doing a lot extra in the gym because I know the situation at Celtic. He has Mikael Lustig and now Jack Hendry, who can also play right-back. I need to take care of myself. If they need me then I have to be ready. I’m just waiting. Celtic is a big club and sometimes you have to accept these decisions. I can’t say it is good or it is wrong. Right now I’m in a difficult situation as I’m not playing. If I try to go to another place it would be hard because where is it going to be? For now I just want to concentrate on getting to the World Cup and then see what happens. If I could win three medals and play in Russia it would still be a good season,” he added.
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