The new Derby County acquisition has expressed his resolve to bring his wealth of experience to bear if given a chance in the Super Eagles again. The former Celtic defender who has been snubbed by the Eagles
tactician, Gernot Rohr also revealed that he is delighted about his breakthrough move to England
Efe shares his experience on joining Derby County
I want to thank God first because it was him that made it possible. I want to give credit to my agent for making everything possible for me to get the best move despite several offers that I got. When I heard about Derby County I became fascinated and when Frank Lampard put a call across to me that he needed my services it was something of no looking back. I didn’t hesitate at all for another second because I have always wanted to play in England and I am happy to have that chance now. I am very glad to get the opportunity and when I get the
chance in the pitch, I will like to take it to the highest level that I could take it. England is a country I will like to establish myself and it is a dream come true and when I had a call from Frank Lampard who was my hero and legend I didn’t hesitate. It is an honour to work with him and others in the technical crew and the players too. It is not easy but at the end it was God that did it. I really want to thank all those that have stood by me in my time of trials. I really want to thank them and appreciate them for their prayers and not giving up on
me. I have a reason of coming to Derby Country which is to help them qualify straightaway to the premier league or qualify for the playoffs.
What will be his relevance to the Super Eagles
In a way I have been out of the national team for quite a while now. Getting a call up to the Super Eagles is not the most important thing for me at present. We are one Nigeria, one team, one spirit and one heart. For me the most important thing is that I still support the team; my country. It is an honour to wear the green and while jersey anytime I am called upon to play to represent my country because it is the country that gave me the platform which I am using now to establish myself in Europe. It is a honour to have the chance to play for Nigeria and even when I am not playing I still support the team and try to watch all the Eagles games and I call few of my friends in the team to wish them well. I pray for the success of the team because when they are successful we are all successful and this makes us have something to cheer about in Europe and also have an edge over our
other colleagues. It is an honour to be part and parcel of this team. Whether I am playing or not I must still support Nigeria. Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has bought stability and a lot ofimprovement into the team and it has really helped the team to move forward. The most important thing is continuity and I am happy that
they gave him and the technical crew the opportunity to continue. It is not just about the coach. I believe that the voices of Nigerians and the support from the Nigeria Football Federation and the
Presidency have helped him to achieve his goals and the players have shown commitment too. The most important thing for us to reclaim our giant of Africa status which has been our birthright and I think the
current set of the technical crew has what it takes to take us there.
Why a return to the senior national team?
For me if I am given the opportunity to come back to the national team I think it will be a great honour and privilege but the most important thing is for the coach to really consider you on merit. For me merit is what really counts. You must be considered to have something of value that you can add to the team and something different too to improve the team. I have played for the Super Eagles before and I have even played alongside some of the players in the present team. I know my ability and I know that we all have our stronghold and at the same
time we have our style of play. If I have the opportunity, I belief I can play in different position for the national team. I have done that before. I can defend and also score goals. I can also bring stability to the defence. I have good speed and good in the air. I am a team player and I want to play in a way that I can help the team and play
to the tactical formation of the coach. I am not calling for a comeback just for the sake of my name. I want to see to it that I canfit into the plans of the coach before I will continue to be a team player.
His experience under Brendan Rodgers before moving to Hibernians from Celtic
I don’t dwell on the past because I preoccupy myself with the present and the future. When Brendan Rodgers came in as Celtic coach it was a great honour to work with him and I enjoyed every bit of it. He made
me understand other aspect of my game that need improvement. He really helped me the few months I was with him and the team. in life every coach has their plans and God has plans for every person too. It was a
blessing in disguise that I left Celtic to move to Hibernians and accomplished what I achieved there. It was my form for Hibernians that brought me to Derby County and had it been that I was not allowed to leave Celtic when I did, it won’t have been possible for me to get to my dream of playing in England. I believe that Brendan Rodgers only led me to my next opportunity and I am happy to play in England now for Derby County. The two years I played in Hibernians were fantastic mand I can say that it was the risk that turned out well for me. I don’t have any regrets playing under Rodgers.