KOCHI: Iain Hume captured the hearts of Kerala Blasters fans as he took the club to the final in the opening season of the ISL. Then the Canadian striker left for Kolkata to have two great seasons with ATK. But his love affair with Blasters and its fans continued. Now, Hume is back in Kerala -- this time with a ‘tusker’ tattoo inked on the back of his right leg. “I get tattoos that mean something for me. The elephant is my favourite animal and it is a little coincidental that it fits with Blasters,” said Hume pointing at the tattoo he got done during the summer. Hume said it was an easy decision to pick Kerala and hopes to continue playing for the Kochi club for a few more years. “I had great offers from ATK and others. I love the Kerala fans and have friends here outside of football who I see regularly which were massive factors while deciding my next stop,” he told Express.
In his three seasons at ISL, Hume has in close quarters witnessed the ISL growing into a competitive league. Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC joining the fray has only added to his excitement. “They might not say it in public, but there is a competition between ISL clubs about who are going to be the most professional among them,” he said.
“Clubs have made massive strides and when one team does it, others try to equal or better that. Everyone I talked to before coming to India told me Bengaluru are the most professional club in India. They have put India on the map as far as the AFC competitions are concerned. I guess we will have more clubs in the coming year and it will only benefit Indian football,” said Hume.
The former Leicester City forward is now the ISL’s all-time leading scorer and a veteran of India’s domestic league. Is that an added responsibility on him? “I put a massive responsibility on myself anyway. What’s my job? To score goals. If I don’t, someone else might. But when that someone doesn’t score, the buck stops with me,” Hume said.
“That is what happened after the ATK draw on the opening day. They were saying: Look, Humey's had no shots on goal. It wasn’t a game that I particularly enjoyed and we didn’t get the start we wanted, but I am sure, if I continue to do the things I have done over the last few seasons, it will turn out to be good for me and the team,” the Blasters forward said.
"Anybody who gives a scrutiny right now is a bit silly. Rene Meulensteen is a coach who has been there and done it. Sir Alex Ferguson says he is one of the best coaches in the world. Dimitar Berbatov is a player I have sat and watched. The team will gel together. It's just a matter of time," said Hume. adwaidh@newindianexpress.com
In his three seasons at ISL, Hume has in close quarters witnessed the ISL growing into a competitive league. Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC joining the fray has only added to his excitement. “They might not say it in public, but there is a competition between ISL clubs about who are going to be the most professional among them,” he said.
“Clubs have made massive strides and when one team does it, others try to equal or better that. Everyone I talked to before coming to India told me Bengaluru are the most professional club in India. They have put India on the map as far as the AFC competitions are concerned. I guess we will have more clubs in the coming year and it will only benefit Indian football,” said Hume.
The former Leicester City forward is now the ISL’s all-time leading scorer and a veteran of India’s domestic league. Is that an added responsibility on him? “I put a massive responsibility on myself anyway. What’s my job? To score goals. If I don’t, someone else might. But when that someone doesn’t score, the buck stops with me,” Hume said.
“That is what happened after the ATK draw on the opening day. They were saying: Look, Humey's had no shots on goal. It wasn’t a game that I particularly enjoyed and we didn’t get the start we wanted, but I am sure, if I continue to do the things I have done over the last few seasons, it will turn out to be good for me and the team,” the Blasters forward said.
"Anybody who gives a scrutiny right now is a bit silly. Rene Meulensteen is a coach who has been there and done it. Sir Alex Ferguson says he is one of the best coaches in the world. Dimitar Berbatov is a player I have sat and watched. The team will gel together. It's just a matter of time," said Hume.
adwaidh@newindianexpress.com