Bengaluru FC lock horns with ATK at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18’s late kick-off on Sunday. Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has had an eventful debut season in the Hero ISL and has managed to keep just one clean sheet in six outings for the Blues. While speaking with indiansuperleague.com in an exclusive interview before the game, the Indian international shared his thoughts on his football journey so far as well as the upcoming fixture. Here are the excerpts.

Your journey in football has been fascinating, you’ve reached milestones and helped put India on the map, what are your thoughts on the journey leading up to Bengaluru FC?

I think I’m very, very lucky. It was an unbelievable journey for me. What I’ve achieved in the past few years, if you would’ve asked me before I would have said that I would be able to do all these things. I’m very thankful to all the people who have been there for me. Coming to Bengaluru FC, one of the most professional clubs in India, who’ve achieved so much in the past four to five years, it’s a privilege for me.

How easy or difficult was it for you to join Bengaluru taking into consideration that the club was entering new frontiers with ISL?

It wasn’t very difficult but the choice to come back was difficult, to be very honest, because no one wants to leave Europe. That was my first option to stay in Europe but according to the circumstances, it wasn’t possible. Coming back to India was a difficult option, but coming to a club which is very professional, which has achieved a lot in the past four years, is a privilege. This club will be an example for others in the future. I’m just happy to be here and I’ll give everything for the club.

You’ve known a few players from Bengaluru with the Indian team, who are some of the players with whom you share a good off-field relationship?

I think all the players from Bengaluru who are with the national team. Be it (Sunil) Chhetri Bhai, Udanta (Singh), off the field we have a good relationship as well. They have made me feel like family. Harmanjot Khabra, I have played with him in East Bengal for four years, so I know him very well. I haven’t felt like it’s a club that I don’t know. It’s a family type environment and I love being here.

How has ISL affected football in India and what are your personal experiences?

I think ISL has done a lot for Indian football in the past three to four years. It has put Indian football on the map. It has brought more professionalism and marketing to Indian football. Now every single television watches Indian football all over the country. ISL has done a lot but there’s a lot more to do.

Finally, what are your thoughts going into the match against ATK?

I think we finished last year on a good note. For sure, we want to start 2018 with a win and get three points.