Following a disappointing campaign in the Hero Indian Super League last time around, expectations within the Kerala Blasters FC camp this season is higher than ever as they look to go one better than their runners-up finish in Hero ISL 2014. The acquisition of new faces all across the pitch as well as the appointment of Steve Coppell as their head coach for the new season has instilled fresh hope for the Blasters. Fresh from representing Northern Ireland in UEFA Euro 2016, Aaron Hughes, Kerala’s marquee player for the season, will be trusted to carry out Coppell’s instructions on the pitch. Hughes spoke to indiansuperleague.com ahead on Saturday’s season opener against NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. Here are the excerpts from the interview.What prompted you to come to India and take up Hero ISL?I think the opportunity to come and experience something new, like a new challenge. This is a growing and exciting league. I have been here for a short time and seeing the TV coverage and the hype as we come closer to the start of the season, you see how well-supported it’s here. Especially, at my age, when I have spent most of my career at England, I thought that I should take up a new challenge and when I do retire, I can look back on this and be glad that I did this.How excited are you about the tournament?I am very excited. I think at any stage, you ask any player going through the pre-season, they just want the season to start. I am no different. I am very excited to get everything underway and get the season going.How has the squad shaped up for the coming season?It’s shaped up pretty well. We had a good pre-season in Thailand and came back to have a few good training sessions here. We worked well together. Hopefully, that will pay off once the season starts.What has most impressed you in India so far?I think the attitude and commitment of the Indian players. I am very impressed with their eagerness to learn. They want to work and develop their games. I think it’s good for the team here and looking forward, that’s how football in India is going to grow. I think when you have an attitude like that and a work ethic like that, you are off to a good start straight away.What are your expectations from the team and how is it playing under Steve Coppell?My ambition would be to win the league and I think that would be the same for every player playing in it. That’s why they have come here, to try and win an exciting league. I have been very impressed with my manager. He’s very composed, organized and knows exactly what he wants. So far, I’ve enjoyed working under him.Can you please shed light on your Euro 2016 journey?It was the best experience of my career. It’s hard to put into the words, considering my emotions and feelings at the time, because it was like nothing I have ever experienced. It was something I have always dreamt of doing. I always wanted to get into a major tournament and to have finally gone and experience it is fantastic. We have got a good bunch of players in the national team with the core of the group being together for the last few years. I think for everyone back home it was a fantastic experience.
