East Bengal gearing up for upcoming season under Trevor Morgan

Kolkata, July 8: East Bengal are gearing up for the upcoming football season and their coach Trevor Morgan, who is currently enjoying his second stint at the club, is hopeful of a fruitful pre-season.

"We will be starting our pre-season from Monday at Kalyani. We are looking forward to it. Whether we will play any practice games or not depends on the schedule of the Calcutta Football League (CFL). But ideally we would want to play some," Mogan told media persons here.

Morgan, who was here at the club from 2010 to 2013, believes the present squad is very different to the one he had to coach back then.

"In 2010 it was more of a senior squad, with a lot of senior players. But now there are a lot of younger players who would want to strike a claim to be part of the I-League," he said.

The historic club is also keen on having Haitian striker Wedson Anselme in its squad but Morgan said the move is still in deep waters because of problems in paperwork.

"With Wedson, there are problems with the paper work. But we cannot wait too long, we are short of players upfront," said the former Kerala Blasters assistant manager.

Reportedly bitter rivals Mohun Bagan have declined to play East Bengal in the CFL this season, commenting on it Morgan said: "It is their decision. I am the coach of East Bengal. Whatever they decide it is up to them. But yes the players will miss it, the fans will miss it."

"But it won't still be easy for us to win CFL. There is nothing easy in football."

Morgan also said he would like to work in the Indian Super League (ISL) again provided East Bengal allows him.

"If an opportunity arises in the ISL, I hope East Bengal will let me go and I will return in time for the I-League," he remarked.

The 59-year-old also stated he was heavily involved in putting together the team for this season.

English defender Calum Angus who has recently signed for the Red and Gold brigade said he was looking forward to playing infront of a packed and noisy stadium.

"I am glad to be here. I have played for teams like Dempo and Pune but they have much smaller fan base when compared to East Bengal. The fan base here is massive and I am looking forward to playing in front of one lakh people," said the 30-year-old.

Angus also stated he was looking forward to playing against Scottish striker Darryl Duffy who has signed for Bagan.

"I know the derby here is big. When I was in Goa we (Duffy and Angus) hung out together. I am looking forward to playing against him in Mohun Bagan, East Bengal game," he said.

IANS