Blood, sweat and boak. The staple diet of a footballer in the early stages of pre-season training. Tony Mowbray has changed the menu since his new charges returned to Lennoxtown to find a new name above the door.

Blood, sweat and boak. The staple diet of a footballer in the early stages of pre-season training. Tony Mowbray has changed the menu since his new charges returned to Lennoxtown to find a new name above the door.

It is uncertain whether the manager's office, which had been furnished and decorated to a minimalist taste under the previous occupant, has been spruced-up with the delivery of a chaise longue but Mowbray has wasted no time in inviting the most high-profile members of his squad to unburden themselves before embarking on a new era.

Artur Boruc, unsurprisingly, was among the first to be summoned for an introductory session. The Pole's transformation from imposing and agile goalkeeper - the envy of Europe - to podgy, error-strewn impostor was one of the unbelievable sights of last season. Trailed by the Polish paparazzi during frequent home visits last season, Boruc's waning athleticism and reliability was attributed to a complex love life and energetic social habits.

Such behaviour does not wash with a manager whose clean living would put a Jehovah's Witness to shame. It is why Mowbray was so keen to distinguish between man and myth. Boruc, now 28, has been with Celtic for four years and has made no secret of his ambition to pursue greatness with one of Europe's elite clubs. His form for club and country last season will have done more harm than good to his medium-term prospects, let alone to his transfer valuation.

The manager administered a liberal dose of reality to Boruc yesterday.

"I had a good chat with him," he revealed during an uncommonly frank and illuminating chat at Lennoxtown.

"I have only watched him from afar but I base my relationships on respect and as long as there is a mutual respect and he understands my job, there won't be a problem. Equally, if he has issues or problems, he has to make me aware of them: there is no point keeping it to himself.

"I also asked him about his motivation and whether he was ready to go again. He must be professional.

He has not intimated to me any problem or unhappiness. He needs to get a good pre-season and work hard but he also needs to perform on the pitch.

He understands that if he wants to win a move to the biggest clubs in the world he has to work hard and show it on the pitch because the big clubs ain't come knocking.

"Everybody has an opinion on the high-profile players but I try to find out for myself."

Mowbray's most telling comment was offered in general terms. "I do not like lazy or slovenly people." Boruc, a gifted goalkeeper, had been pilloried for his physical condition last season but has been assigned the same punishing training schedule as the outfield players to ensure his readiness for the season.

"Running is not his greatest forte but he was practically crawling round the pitch to do the same as the rest," Mowbray chuckled. "His personality suggests he is confident and knows his ability but I also think he knows he also needs to knuckle down.

"Whether that is to become the best keeper for Celtic or to attract a huge bid from the giants, that is never going to happen unless he produces."

On Monday, Mowbray will be introduced to another of the club's most gifted and most colourful personalities. Aiden McGeady will return to Lennoxtown with a spring in his step after an almost total breakdown in his relationship with Gordon Strachan. The Republic of Ireland international was repeatedly punched by Boruc in a dressing room spat last season and was suspended for a verbal tirade at the manager in the away dressing room at Tynecastle. He may have an incendiary temperament but with Shunsuke Nakamura having left, he is also Celtic's most creative force.

"I am not anticipating any problems with Aiden," said Mowbray. "I would like to think he is wanting to come back and light this team up. I like talented, quality footballers. Everybody has told me he's this and that but I will find out for myself. I will find out when I take him off, when I sit him on the bench or the first time he disrespects somebody in the building. When I see the talent at his feet and the quality he possesses, I look forward to working with him."

Having already discussed the financial constraints, Mowbray admitted there may be a sacrifice in order to improve the overall standard of his squad. Selling an asset to strengthen in other areas is a decision he will not shirk from. The aforementioned Boruc and McGeady are two of the biggest saleable assets at the club, with Scott Brown the other player who has already attracted interest from the Barclays Premier League.

"We have a lot of good footballers and good people here but if we receive bids it is my job to think about bringing some capital in and using it on other areas," he said. "Sometimes you are faced with difficult decisions but some players have valuations on them and others haven't."

Already he has been bombarded by cold calls from agents with solutions to all his needs. "I have been coming in every day trying to see what is possible," he said. "You have to balance that with agents telling you they have a striker that's just for you. You have to filter them and make sure you don't miss anyone amid the dozens and dozens that are getting thrown at you. If you just dismiss them all as agents trying to make a quick buck. If you do that you might miss a diamond in there, so you have to do your homework."

The only sitting down on the job will be on Mowbray's counselling couch.