- First of all I want to thank Dynamo for everything. The time I spent here was unforgettable. Many thanks to the president of the club Ihor Surkis who let me go without any compensation despite my contract being valid for six more months. It was a pleasure to work with him.
I would also like to thank all our coaches – Demianenko, Sabo, Luzhnyi, Semin, Gazzaev and Blokhin. I had mutual understanding with each of them. They made their contribution into my professional advancement.
As for our fans – they can be the topic for a long interview. I always had friendly relations with them. I don’t think they will be angry with me.
And of course I want to thank all Dynamo staff: massage therapists, doctors, administrators, cooks, waiters and security service workers.
- What was your adieu with Ihor Surkis like?
- I have very positive emotions after our talk.
- Did you manage to say goodbye to your teammates?
- I said goodbye to those who were at the training complex. International players were absent, but as they got to know that I became a free agent many called to wish me luck. I felt sad as I was packing the stuff in my room at the training complex.
- Are you leaving Kyiv forever?
- Of course not! At the moment I must regain my conditions and prove myself that I’m still able to play.
- What did Oleh Blokhin tell you at parting?
- Our relations are good. I think the problem was that I started playing worse and the head coach stopped relying on me. I don’t want just to get money sitting on the substitutes’ bench. I want to play. I also have a strong desire to play for Ukraine national team.
- Has the time you spent in Dynamo answered your expectations?
- To some extent it has. As I came to Dynamo my dream was to become the first team regular and to win trophies. I think I managed to do that as I played for this team for almost eight years. Never the less there were some disappointments.
- Which period of your career in Dynamo or match was the most memorable one?
- I worked with several coaches who have learned me a lot. Of course most memorable seasons are those which were successful for us. As for some particular game, I often recall the Ukrainian Super Cup match against Shakhtar Donetsk we won in the penalty shootout.
- You started playing as center back when Yuriy Semen was Dynamo head coach. Has this position become native for you since then?
- I wouldn’t say so. I played as supporting halfback under Gazzaev and Luzhnyi. Frankly speaking I enjoyed playing as midfielder more, but I think that every players must think about the team first of all, not about his personal aims.
- Was it important for you to be Dynamo skipper?
- It’s always a pleasure when your teammates trust you and follow your advice. At the moment Olexandr Shovkovskyi is a skipper and the true leader of the team. The same I can say about Oleh Husiev. I also think that Andriy Yarmolenko has a right to wear captain’s armband when Shovkovskyi and Husiev are missing.
- You have scored 10 goals for Dynamo. Which was the most memorable one?
- First of all I think of two goals I scored against Shakhtar in that Super Cup game I have already mentioned. My goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach is also very memorable. In general team’s success is more important than my goals.
- In 2010/11 season you got only 2 yellow cards in 21 games. How can you explain that?
- I always try to play carefully. I’m a tough player, but not mean.
- Will you keep following Dynamo?
- Of course I will! This is my native team. I will always support Dynamo.
