Celtic defender Kelvin Wilson is exhausted after the longest season of his career but knows he will not get enough time to recuperate in the summer.
The 27-year-old has already played 48 times this season in which he secured his second Clydesdale Bank Premier League championship medal and a passport to the Champions League for next season again.
The Englishman and the rest of the Celtic players, though, have to play three Champions League qualifiers, the first of which comes in the middle of July.
Tired: Wilson is exhausted after playing 48 times this season for CelticConsequently, the Hoops squad will be back for pre-season training in late June, around a month after their William Hill Scottish Cup final against Hibernian which takes place next week and which, along with the early return for next season, prompted manager Neil Lennon to give several his star players, including Wilson, some time off recently.
Ahead of the final SPL game of the season against Dundee United at Tannadice tomorrow, the Parkhead defender spoke of his fatigue.
'It is a physical sport and I am starting to feel it a bit,' he said.
'It was nice to get that break and I benefited from it.
Little rest: Wilson will be back for pre-season training in late June, just one month after the Scottish Cup final'I think we needed it but we probably needed more than 10 days.
'It (break before returning) is not enough but there is nothing we can do about it.
'The fitness people here will try to manage it as best they can but it is not enough, but you've got to do what you've got to do.
'We can't moan about it, other teams will have to come back for the qualifiers so we will just get on with it.
'We will deal with it, we will be fine.'
European nights: Celtic will aim to return to the Champions League group stage next season but face three rounds of qualifiersWilson joined Celtic in July, 2011 after leaving Nottingham Forest but admits he struggled in his first season in Glasgow both on and off the park.
However, has settled down to life with one of the city's big two clubs.
'It has been hard,' said the Englishman. 'I am not going lie and say I enjoyed it straight away as it was pretty hard, coming up here from down south myself, not knowing anyone or anywhere.
'I think it was because of the size of the club, it is a massive club.
Champions: Lennon will be hoping to add the Scottish Cup to the Premier League title Celtic won this season'You go places and you don't get a minute but that comes with the job, that's what happens.
'But I have got used to it and when you are doing well on the pitch you are pretty much happy off the pitch.
'The season has been long but enjoyable. Being successful, you enjoy it so it has been worth it.'
Forest favourite: Wilson made 123 appearances for Nottingham Forest from 2007 to 2011More... Heart sinks! Lennon fears loss of Gorgie men from SPL Everton job too big for Celtic boss Lennon, says Toffees legend Sharp Celtic defender Wilson could win shock England call-up (does that mean ANOTHER snub for Rio?)