- Niko, was it a difficult decision to move to Eastern Europe after six years you spent in England?
- There were several factors which influenced my decision. First of all I took the field for Tottenham Hotspur rarely so I couldn’t be Croatia first team regular any more. I decided that my transfer to such club as Dynamo Kyiv would be a right choice. White and Blues have a great history. They also play in the UEFA Champions League regularly.
- Have you already adapted to Ukrainian football?
- Of course each player needs some time to get used to new team. I’m not satisfied with my play if I take the field but my team loses the game. I’m sure that we are able to do better. Maybe we still lack some mutual understanding as a lot of new players came to Dynamo last autumn. As for me, I came to Kyiv to help Dynamo.
- What is the most difficult for you in Ukraine?
- It’s language barrier. Fortunately Domagoj Vida also plays for Dynamo so I have enough communication.
- What do you think about Ukrainian Premier League?
- Ukrainian League is of high level. A lot of international players represent Ukrainian clubs.
- What was Dynamo’s best game in euro cups this season?
- I hope our best game is ahead. There’s nothing to be proud of this season.
- Niko, you’d been living in Vienna for a long time. Is Austria your second motherland?
- In some way it is. Austrians are very hospitable people.
- How come you decided to sign a contract with Dinamo Zagreb’s worst enemy Hajduk Split in 2004?
- There were some negative moments so I decided to leave Dinamo.
- You spent a year and a half in Split after which you were signed by Portsmouth FC…
- I also had an offer from Rennais FC but I chose the British side.
- In 2008 Portsmouth won the FA Cup. Was it unexpectedly?
- At that time we had a very good team so no wonder that Portsmouth won the trophy!
- Did Harry Redknapp initiate your transfer to Tottenham Hotspur?
- Sure, because he was my head coach in Portsmouth and he knew my best qualities.
- What did you feel leaving White Hart Lane?
- A piece of my heart will always stay with Tottenham despite the fact that it wasn’t the best part of my career.
- What movies do you prefer?
- I like Hollywood movies. My favorite actor is Johnny Depp and my favorite actress is Meryl Streep.
- What about music?
- I prefer rock, like The Killers for example.
- What can you tell about Ukraine in general?
- It’s a good place to live. People are very hospitable here.
