Jamshedpur FC’s Mehtb Hossain comes with a lot of experience going into the club’s debut Indian Super League season. As the pre-season preparations begin soon, our media team caught up with the midfielder for a tête-à-tête:

• You have been in the Indian football circuit for a long time now. You have 401 career appearances; and now you will be adding to those numbers for Jamshedpur FC. How does that feel?
  
  Mehtab Hossain: I feel really great that I got picked up by Jamshedpur FC. For the past three years, I have played for Kerala Blasters. Since it’s a new team, expectations are understandably high. It will be a new challenge to fulfill local fans’ dreams and mine as well.

• You have made 255 appearances for East Bengal and have played a pivotal role there. How was your experience?
  
  MH: It was a brilliant experience. They still love me so much and would want me to go back and sport the red-and-yellow jersey. Ups and downs are parts and parcels in one’s career. East Bengal was like a family for almost a decade. I was extremely happy. But I had made a promise to myself that If I don’t win the I-League, I won’t play for the red-and-yellow anymore. Thus, have moved on from there.
• Steve Coppell’s guidance will not be new for you, as he was the coach of Kerala Blasters when you played with them last season. What do you think about him and his tactics?
  
  MH: He is a brilliant manager. He is always calm and composed and his player management skills are extraordinary. The coach knows everyone’s game and that will be an advantage as things would become easier for the gaffer.
• You have played alongside Ishfaq Ahmed in the same team and now he is the assistant coach at Jamshedpur FC. How’s your equation with him?

MH: We share a good equation but now since he is a coach he has a more difficult role to play. He is a good man and always thinks about the team. And of course, I have known him for a long time.

• You are one of the most experienced players in the squad and other players look up to you…
  
  MH: They (rest of the players in the Jamshedpur FC squad) are professional players. If anyone needs my guidance, I will be more than happy to help. Senior players must take responsibility to guide the younger ones.
• How far can Jamshedpur go and compete in their debut season with so many big teams around?
  
  MH: There is nothing called a big team or a small team. I treat everyone equally. The most hard-working team will win the league. Football is a team game and not individual. Everyone must maintain similar mentality.
• A message for the fans…

MH: We are here because of the fans and not the other way around. We feel good. Thus, we strive to play better since they cheer for us. Stand beside us, get back behind us. We will try and play the best game.