Who will score more: ‘bars’ Möller or ‘dragon’ Bergström? Presentation of novices of Rubin
I will say right now that I was impressed with the beautiful, cosy and interesting presentation of the new winter players of Rubin. In Kazan, Rubin does not have rivals concerning the way and the level of the organization of this presentation. Learn, compatriots! Tatar break, showy photo shoots and autographs, total freedom of success to 'bodies' for reporters. Just believe the correspondent of Realnoe Vremya – Kazan has never seen anything like this…
Tatar break
Just because the club decided to show the audience not only its new players of the first team but also under-21 players for the first time! We cannot help but be proud of the under-21 team of Rubin that comprises 100% pupils of the school and boarding school of the club for the first time! You should have seen the pride of the young guys who were on the scene and put the T-shirts of Rubin on… Even their helmsmen match to the players – the head coach Andrey Sitchikhin, the legend of football of Nizhnekamsk and the head of the team Ayrat Akhmetgaliev, a legend of both Neftekhimik and native Rubin!
Always extremely laconic and stern man, the captain of Rubin Oleg Kuzmin was the first who gave a speech, as it should be. 'I congratulate you on the renewal of the championship. We have waited and prepared for it for a long time. Wish all of us luck…' But the disposition had been explained by the director general of the club Ilgiz Fakhriev who explained why Rubin decided to present the two teams at the same time. 'We pin our hopes on them because all the young comes from our club!'
Marko Dević as TV correspondent
Then a breakdance was performed à la Tatar – to the tune of folk music and with national costumes! Gold may be easily told! After the dance forward Marko Dević as a correspondent told about the winter camp in Spain and Portugal to the spectators that filled the hall of Palladium restaurant at Kazan-Arena to the brim (hangers in cloakroom finished). Only then new players appeared on the scene, including the fitness coach Miquel Gomila Andreu who was presented a national Tatar headdress!
Then the new players were sat and thrown to the fans – autographs and photo shoot. It was not easy to get closer to the tables, believe the witness. The ceremony was long enough, so that the journalists were waiting for a long time… Finally, our turn came.
Denis Tkachuk: 'No presentation was organized in Zenit…'
Native of Belgorod – the compatriot of Sergey Ryzhikov, a 26-year-old midfielder Tkachuk came to Rubin from Zenit. There was a comparison of the teams…
Did you like today's presentation?
Yes, I have only positive feelings. Many people came here; it is what did not happen in other clubs I played in. What I liked most was that there were many kids. People were delighted, including disabled people. It cannot help but impress. I will present a T-shirt to such a fan…
Was the show in Zenit on the same level or was it more moderate?
There was not any presentation.
You have played at Rubin during the camps. What impression of the new team did you get?
Only positive. It is a very friendly team. It is young compared to my previous teams. The most important thing is that we set very serious tasks that we will solve together.
Will you reach the national team of Russia playing at Rubin? How do you think?
Yes, Rubin is a team that aspires to develop. I came here with the intentions of developing. And our coach is progressive. Competition is crazy, it is what I came for.
Emil Bergström: 'Is there any zoo in Kazan?'
A 22-year-old native of Stockholm, pupil and captain of Djurgården Bergström impresses with his progress in learning the Russian language. He advised with forwards of Ak Bars Oskar Möller in advance…
Who will score more goals, you or Möller?
Unfortunately, he will because he is a forward. But he won't be able to perform a header!
There will be a hockey match of Ak Bars on 3 March. Will you visit the match and support your compatriots?
I will. I have seen a number of matches of this kind. And I'm glad that Ak Bars won in Ufa. So, I want to see the match in Kazan.
How was your adaptation to Russia?
Everything is fine. My first impressions are good: the base, the pitches, the stadium – I like everything here!
What about the presentation?
I liked it, especially the participation of the young players in the ceremony. It is a very important event for them. The presentation was great, everything was good, even cool!
Have you visited anything in Kazan?
Yes, I've walked along the pedestrian Bauman Street till the Kremlin, and I liked it. In a word, I walked a bit. I hope I will have time to see more.
Andrey Pilyavsky: 'Everything was good!'
A 27-year-old Ukrainian defender Pilyavsky started to play at home in Arsenal Kyiv and came to Rubin from Zorya Luhansk.
Have you had such presentations in you biography?
No, today everything has been interesting and good. I've seen too many people at the presentation for the first time, and I'm glad that our fans are so great…
Have you ever played as midfield defender?
No. I used to play in a higher position but always in defence. I played in this position when I was younger. When I grew up, I was replaced to lower positions. I'm satisfied and felt comfortable.
Having received the invitation from Kazan, did not you hesitate? The relationships between Ukraine and Russia are not the best.
Of course, my agent and I discussed this topic. But the offer was good. This is why I chose Rubin.
You are a pupil of Arsenal Kyiv. Is it difficult to play in Dinamo Kyiv for such a player?
There are nuances everywhere. Every club has its own politics.
Tkachuk plans to reach Euro from Rubin. What about you?
Naturally, every football player sets challenging tasks, especially, playing in Euro is a dream of every player.
Mijo Caktaš: 'I will try to be liked more than Carlos Eduardo…'
A 23-year-old Croatian halfback Caktaš scored 12 goals for his native Hajduk Split in 27 matches and 4 goals more in Europa League qualification. He is already a veteran of Hajduk but could not refuse Rubin because…
Did you choose football first, not basketball?
Yes, only football.
What are your impressions of Rubin? Could be the level of this team be compared with Hajduk?
Yes, the championship of Croatia is good, but Russia has more strong teams. I think the level is higher here, so every team can win. And it is very interesting.
Are contracts in Russia more expensive?
Yes.
As it can be judged, you will play in Carlos Eduardo's position…
I will try to be liked more than Carlos Eduardo. I will do my best, 100 per cent.
When will we speak in Russian?
I understand everything if you speak slowly. The Croatian and Russian languages are similar…
In Split, you were the favourite player of the spectators. When you went to Kazan, the supporters felt sad. How did you say goodbye to your native team?
Yes, Split is my motherland. I love Hajdul and understand that I distressed the supporters. I always will support this club, but it is football, our life…
The resume on winter pre-bid campaign was presented by the director of the club Ilgiz Fakhriev when the curtains were falling.
Did you have unrealized transfers?
Undoubtedly, the feeling of dissatisfaction is present in any work, especially in selection. However, I think that we got everybody who we wanted to purchase at the beginning. We have positions that need to be strengthened in summer transfer period, including the attack.
Could you comment the information that Dinamo Kyiv is interested in Marko Dević?
It is not information, there is nothing to comment. There are always so many rumours…
Is it a coincidence that all new players of Rubin are young players who had played in their national teams?
We want these football players to grow up together with the team. Moreover, I want to say they are all highly motivated being candidates for their national teams, including Denis Tkachuk, and the national team of Russia, Ukraine, Croatia and Sweden! As for the estimation of our transfer campaign, we will comment it when the championship of Russia is finished. I will remind that our tasks are challenging – to win every match.
Is Rubin continuing the negotiations with potential candidates for the post of the head coach of the team?
Let's leave it. Today we have our head coach Valery Chaly who will head the team till the end of the season. He handled our training camps and is preparing the team for the second part of the championship.
