Hibs were my platform to world stage, says De la Cruz

Published on Saturday 24 June 2006 13:05

ECUADOR defender Ulises de la Cruz insists his time at Hibs has been the key to his success in Germany this summer.

De la Cruz is busy preparing for the biggest game of his international career - with Ecuador taking on Sven Goran Eriksson's England in the knockout stages of the World Cup tomorrow.

And the 32-year-old is convinced his move to Easter Road in 2001 from South American club Deportivo Universitaria has made him the player he is today.

"I have some very good memories of playing at Hibs," said De la Cruz, who teamed up with then-Hibs boss Alex McLeish.

"Alex gave me my first chance in Europe and I have to be grateful to him for that. It gave me a wonderful opportunity and platform to play football.

"When my agent Eric Manasse brought me to Scotland I didn't know anything about the country but the kindness and assistance I was given will always stay with me.

"The people of Edinburgh were very friendly and kind towards me. The fans were terrific, especially when I scored against Hearts.

"I will never forget them and I know they will be supporting me against England. Leaving Hibs was a very difficult decision to make."

De la Cruz - who has spent much of the season on the sidelines at Aston Villa - made history five years ago when McLeish made him the first Ecuadorian to play in Scotland.

He arrived at Hibs for a club-record 700,000 fee but failed to hit the heights in his one season in Scotland.

Despite his difficulties, the defender's wonder goal against neighbours Hearts at Easter Road will ensure he is fondly remembered by the green half of Edinburgh.

While on television commentary duty at the 2002 World Cup, Graham Taylor liked what he saw and snapped up the Ecuadorian for 1.5 million after becoming manager at Villa for a second time.

Taylor's departure and the arrival of David O'Leary have seen De la Cruz drop down the pecking order - prompting the 87-cap international to have second thoughts about his future in the Midlands.

Spanish club Villarreal, who lost out to Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final, are among the interested parties linked with his signature.

"An approach from Villarreal has always existed but my contract with Aston Villa finishes next month," added De la Cruz.

"We will go into things and see what happens. There are many things that happen in life, I only ask God that he helps us continue in the World Cup and that we can continue enjoying these moments.

"I am not looking to move for money. I just need to be playing first-team football. I know I am still capable of doing a job at Premiership level and I would also not rule out a move back to Scotland.

"I have loved my time with Aston Villa. The last four years have been tremendous and I want the fans to know how happy I have been. However, the time has come for me to leave."

And De la Cruz refuses to be fazed by the challenge of Wayne Rooney and company when Ecuador tackle Eriksson's men in Stuttgart this weekend.

After seeing off Poland and Costa Rica, the Ecuador veteran insists his side could be on the verge of springing the biggest upset of this summer's World Cup.

"Wayne Rooney is obviously a very good player. Everyone knows that, and he is someone I love to play against," explained De la Cruz.

"But the fact he is probably still not totally fit gives us a boost. Perhaps I can give him a bit of a kick to test his foot out, although I don't want to end up with a red card.

"But I will certainly be doing my best so see whether he is 100 per cent or not. We will have to see if he is but I don't think he can be at the moment.

"We will use the fact England want to play us as motivation so they should be careful.

"England haven't played particularly well so far and that gives us a lot of encouragement."

De la Cruz is used to having half of Edinburgh cheering him on. For 90 minutes on Sunday he will have most of the country on his side.