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Ilya Rubtsov: One day I will emulate Skuletic

The new name on the red-green junior squad, Ilya Rubtsov tells Our Loko about his love of billiards, street football and adaptation at Lokomotiv.

I became a footballer by accident, - starts Ilya. – I was actually scouted by a father whose son attended Spartak football academy. He put me forward for a trial. I passed it and was admitted. I spent five years with Spartak. Then I was injured and did not play for some time. Fully recovered by this summer, I was able to return to the field. Spartak had two encounters with Loko, and I managed to score in both. After those games Lokomotiv invited me to join their youth team.

- This summer you performed well in the Premier league, while still playing for Spartak.

- Yes, I was named the best forward of the tournament. I managed to realize my potential. You are faced with some serious competition there – they have a forward named Makeyev – I was sure, he would be in the starting line-up. But the manager picked me, and I scored. And then it just rolled. Later I got some calls from Spartak officials who offered me a contract, but I had already secured my future at Loko and have no regrets about it.

- What are your strong sides? What exactly helps you score, in your mind?

- I was brought on as a winger a few times, but it doesn’t seem right for me. I feel more comfortable playing as a poacher. Hopefully, one day I will emulate Skuletic (laughs).

- By the way, how is your adaptation at Lokomotiv going on?

- Great! My new teammates have received me as one of their own. We have many mutual friends and used to see one another while we still played for our academies. So there are no problems. I mix most with the guys of the 1998 year of birth and encountered them more than once on the field. At the dormitory I share a room with Makhatadze.

- Your former academy’s Instagram shared a photo with the caption “Ilya Rubtsov wins the Dorm Olympics in billiards!”

- Indeed, I did! Not long ago they installed a pool table for young Spartak footballers. I failed in the first School Olympics but made a promise to be ready for the next. I even said: “Brace up, fellows – I’m going to take the prize.” And so it happened.

- Do you think you were aided by your striker’s instincts while pocketing balls?

- Could be. To pocket a ball in a game of pool the player has to meticulously calculate everything. Something like that happens in football, too. You have to pick out a corner the goalie cannot defend. Also, you need awareness to assess the situation around – how the opposing team is scattered. The same is with the balls on the table.

- How did your parents react to your career choice?

- At first, they were not very happy, especially my mom. When I was called to Zvenigorod amateur team, she opposed and would not let me go. But then mother gave in. They informed me right off, that I would join older guys because, while with peers, it all came too easy for me. In winter we played futsal and even won titles.

- I know one more forward on this squad who started as a futsal player.

- Really? Who?

- Sasha Smirnov set out in the New Generation MFC. Was it difficult for you to re-mold from futsal style of play to association football?

- It was long ago… Speed is higher there - and you have to do everything quickly and with higher technical precision. But it does not help much at the big pitch. We asked the coaches to hold the practice sessions outdoors in winter. I’d rather train on the snow than inside. Those childhood years!

- Can you still come out sometime and play in the street with local guys? Or have you had enough?

- I actually did, not so long ago. Crefully, of course.

- Recently everybody discussed the interview of another Spartak apprentice, also a forward. A new term was coined – ‘to lick the diamond’.

- Yes, I remember reading about it… I must say I kissed the emblem myself after I had scored in the derby against CSKA. I don’t see anything wrong about it. They turn all of their players into the real ‘spartakers’. I experienced it too. I hope to feel something like that at Cherkizovo once.

- What would you like to achieve with Lokomotiv?

- Naturally, I want to make it to the first squad! In the long run… So far, even in the youth team it is hard – I’m getting used step by step. The first week was the hardest, being in a new club and all that it entails. I dream of the moment when I will be able to celebrate my first win with the Railroaders!

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