Robert Green believes he will still be playing when he’s 45 - and the QPR keeper isn’t kidding.
The Rs gloveman insists his monastic life has to count for something - and in the England shot stopper’s case - it’s the chance to break the all-time oldest player Premier League record, provided Green’s back in the top flight.
John Burridge was 43 years and 162 days when the former Rs keeper kept goal for Manchester City, ironically against Rangers in May 1995.
Green insists he will breeze that milestone if it’s purely down to keeping himself trim.
“It won’t be for the want of fitness that I stop,” he said. “I’m fitter than I’ve ever been, as the stats show.
“You get to know yourself physically and mentally and how to operate. I feel better than when I was 25. I think I can keep going for another 10 years.”
Seriously? “Why not?” Green countered. “ Mark Schwarzer’s 43, and he’s still playing. Brad Friedel retired when he was 44, so injuries permitting you can go for another 10 years.
“If your reaction time goes, then your time’s up. But if that’s still there, you keep going.”
Green revealed a relentless regime that bans all form of carbohydrate, including bread, sweet items of any sort, pasta - and beer.
“You get to know yourself physically and mentally and how to operate best.”
Green and co kept a clean sheet for the first time in seven games in a 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night, and plan to build on that at home to MK Dons tomorrow.
