He has been one of the most prolific scorers in Indian football ever since he came to India six years ago. The 24-year-old has caught the attention with his dribbling skills and penchant for scoring. “That’s what I do for a living,” says Ranti Martins ahead of his team Dempo SC’s opening I-League clash against Mumbai FC at the Cooperage ground on Saturday.

In his six-year association with the Goan team, Nigerian Martins has had to adjust with various partners up front and this year it’s no different. He has a new frontline partner in Sunil Chhetri, the star addition to Dempo this year.

“I have played with six different partners in the last six seasons and now I’m looking forward to building a new relationship with another striker,” says the Lagos-born player.

Will pairing with Chhetri be a challenge? “Not exactly. I got a chance to play three games with him during the Durand Cup. He is a very good player, though he is yet to adjust to our style of playing,” says Martins. “We play a short passing game and in our scheme of things, a striker never just stands in front. He has to keep moving up, middle and down the field. Chhetri is slowly getting used to it,” says Martins, who had played for Lagos State University during his youth days.

German snub

Martins had got feelers from a German team this year for trials but he was not very keen. “I have had many offers in the past from various international teams but it’s difficult for me to make time for the trials. After I play here, I feel tired and deal with injuries, and then you get trial calls during the season. It gets quite difficult,” says Martins.

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