ISL 2015: Iain Hume looking forward to fresh start

Iain Hume exults after scoring for the Kerala Blasters in ISL 2014

Kerala Blasters’s star man in ISL 2014, Iain Hume has come back for the second season of the tournament, but this time in new pastures. Having been pipped at the finish line by Atletico de Kolkata last year, Hume will don the colours of the defending champions this time and hopes to have another fruitful season.

When quizzed about the city of Kolkata, Hume said, “We have been in Kolkata for only 5 or 6 days with pre-season taking up a good 5 weeks. But I’m really looking forward to spending a lot more time in Kolkata this year.”

Hume was also delighted with the way Atletico spent their pre-season in Madrid.

“We’ve worked very hard in Madrid, and fine-tuned all aspects of our game. Nothing comes easy in football. Everything you get is the fruit of the work that you put in on the training pitch.”

Hume relishes partnering with Postiga up front

Hume was excited by the prospect of teaming up with Portuguese striker, Helder Postiga, who also happens to be the marquee player for Kolkata.

“We’ve gotten to know each other’s game through the course of pre-season, and we’ll continue that through the season. In football, you keep learning, and I’m confident that our partnership will blossom as the season progresses,” he said.

Hume said that while Kolkata were confident about their chances, it was important to give utmost respect to all their opponents, not least Chennaiyin FC, whom they will face in the season-opener in Chennai on Saturday.

Team’s ambitions come ahead of personal ambitions: Hume

When asked about a possible personal battle against Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper, Apoula Edel who was in inspired form to deny Hume and his team-mates in last year’s final, the Canadian chose the most diplomatic reply in saying that it was important for Kolkata to beat Chennaiyin, and if that meant he scored a few, he would be overjoyed.

During the course of the pre-season, Kolkata paraded their trophy around the Vicente Calderon during Atletico Madrid’s game against Barcelona, and Hume said it was an overly enjoyable experience watching two fantastic teams fight it out against each other.

Hume was adjudged the Hero of the League in last year’s tournament and when he was asked whether a repeat could happen, he said, “I’m going to go out there and thoroughly enjoy myself. I have not set any personal ambitions for myself. I want to play the best football I possibly can, and if personal awards happen as a result, I will take that as a bonus.”

Hume is expected to be one of Kolkata’s more pivotal players in their quest to retain the ISL title, which begins against Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai tomorrow.