Source: Team_Talk
De Graf grateful to Mols
Hibernian new boy Edwin de Graaf revealed how former Rangers hero Michael Mols was instrumental in persuading him to move to Easter Road.[LNB] The 30-year-old midfielder, who has represented the Holland B team, joined the Leith club earlier in the month on a two-year deal.[LNB]The former NAC Breda skipper claims he first had an inkling he would end up in Scottish football after a couple of trips to Glasgow with close friend Mols.[LNB]"When I knew Hibernian were interested at the end of last season, I came over to the Motherwell versus Hibernian at Fir Park, the 6-6 game," De Graaf said.[LNB]"It was a crazy game but I spoke to the manager (John Hughes) who gave me a good feeling about playing for the club.[LNB]"But I had been in Scotland before to see some Glasgow Rangers games with Michael Mols.[LNB]"A few seasons ago I watched Rangers versus Hearts at Ibrox, when Ronald Waterreus was in goals, Buffel was in midfield and Jan Wouters was the assistant coach and I also saw a Rangers game against Celtic at Hampden.[LNB]"Michael was a couple of years out of Scotland by the time he came back but the fans showed him a lot of respect and the passion was so high that I said that I wanted to play in Scotland.[LNB]"When I found Hibernian were interested, I called him and asked what should I do.[LNB]"And he told me that after Rangers and Celtic, Hibs are one of the biggest clubs in Scotland.[LNB]"I will invite Michael over to see me play for Hibernian and of course he will want to see us play against Rangers."[LNB]The former Feyenoord player claims his style of midfield play is more SPL than Eredivisie.[LNB]"I think that playing in Scotland will be good for me because I am a player who works very hard and I can play box to box," he said. "Everyone in Holland knows me as a player like that.[LNB]"People were surprised that I signed for Hibernian because it was never mentioned in the media. "People thought I was staying, or going to play in Germany or the USA.[LNB]"But everyone that I spoke to told me that Scottish football was the type of football that I like to play and that it would be great for me.[LNB]"Maybe in Holland they play better football but the passion for the game is higher in Scotland than in Holland.[LNB]"Everyone in Holland knows that in Scotland the players fight for 90 minutes but they play a lot of long balls, whereas in Holland we play combinations via the midfielders.[LNB]"But the Hibs coach wants to play the European way so we will see."[LNB]De Graaf is aware that Hughes is looking for his experience to complement a youthful Hibernian squad.[LNB]He said: "My experience is one of the reasons they brought me here.[LNB]"I am 30 years old, I was captain of my old team for three years and was always coaching on the pitch.[LNB]"I have played in the Europa League, I have played for Feyenoord so I hope I can bring some experience to the younger guys."[LNB]While trying to settle in at Easter Road, De Graaf has kept one eye on his country's World Cup hopes but as Holland prepare to take on Brazil in the quarter-finals he is not overly confident that they can go all the way.[LNB]He said: "I have been watching but Holland are not playing very well at this moment.[LNB]"I'm happy that they are into the next round but now we are going to play against Brazil and it is going to be very difficult.[LNB]"We have a good team with a lot of big players but most of them are up front but it is going to be difficult for the back four if we are under pressure.[LNB]"Everything is possible but I think Spain and Argentina are better than our team."
