By Soumo Ghosh,
AIFF Media Team
New Delhi: The Hero I-League has seen the rise of a number of local players who have gone on to make a name for themselves. One such player who has been in the thick of the action in the ongoing 2019-20 season is Glan Martins of Churchill Brothers FC Goa.
While a number of clubs look to experienced foreigners like Kassim Aidara (Quess East Bengal), Joseba Beitia (Mohun Bagan), Alfred Jaryan (Aizawl FC), to build their play from the middle of the park, it is this 25-year-old native of Goa who shoulders those responsibilities for Churchill Brothers.
“It is a very good learning experience to be a regular starter in the Hero I-League,” Martins admitted. The coach has really helped me a lot this season. He is a great motivator and helps me maintain a proper mind set ahead of every game,” Martins added. “Even if I make a mistake he encourages me and analyses it for me.”
Martins had earlier had a taste of the Hero I-League in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons with Sporting Clube de Goa. But the youngster wasn’t a regular starter then. However, under current Churchill boss Bernardo Tavares, the midfielder has gained more confidence, and sealed his place.
“I have learnt a lot about positioning with the his guidance,” he further maintained.
A LEARNING PROCESS THAT NEVER ENDS
Glan is one of the footballers who have had to struggle his way through different levels of football to reach his current standing. The midfielder went on to play in the Goa Pro League, before attending a few trials in the USA.
While the trials did not work out, Glan’s hunger to keep striving for his place on the field of play continued as he went on to sign for Sporting Clube de Goa as a 20-year-old. That was when the youngster learnt the tricks of the trade despite not being a regular starter.
“Sharing the dressing room with players like Arindam Bhattacharya, Odafa Okolie and Rowllin Borges was a really good experience for me. I got to learn a lot from them,” Martins pronounced.
In fact, it is India National Team midfielder Borges who has left the biggest impression upon Glan. “We play at different clubs now but Rowllin and I have stayed in touch throughout,” said Martins. “He is a very accomplished footballer in his own right and he keeps helping me with different aspects of the game. From fitness regimes to nutrition I got to learn a lot from him. I am still a learner,” he continued.
Amongst his current teammates at Churchill Brothers it is the towering figure of Trinidadian central defender Abu Bakr whom Glan looks up to. “Abu Bakr is one of the most professional footballers I’ve played with. He is so motivated ahead of every game. His motivation levels and energy even seeps down into the rest of us,” Martins explained.
INTERNATIONAL DREAMS
Now that he has got a regular platform to showcase his talents in the middle of the park, the lanky midfielder who had once forsaken his studies to concentrate on the game is only looking ahead to achieve greater things.
“I’ve always wanted to play for India. Even when I was not a regular starter I used to look up to the likes of Rowllin and say to myself, I need to improve my game so that I can be where he is, someday,” said Martins.
“Becoming a regular starter, that too as a central midfielder is just the start of things, I hope. Playing for India would be my ultimate goal, at this point,” he continued.
“Igor Stimac has said that he is keeping a close tab on the Hero I-League for National Team selection. That motivates me further. I need to do better.”
