Every word from Felix Passlack on Hibs move, style of play

He discussed:

• experiencing the Edinburgh derby in December
• leaving Germany for a new challenge
• his style of play
• coming through the ranks at Borussia Dortmund
• recent influx of German players in Scotland
• how the Scottish game compares to football in Germany

Here's all he had to say...

Felix – welcome to Hibs, and welcome to Scottish football. What was it that convinced you to make this move at this point in your career?

"I was here in December for the Hearts game to get the feeling about the city, about the club, about the fans. I had a good feeling from the first moment and afterwards, the talks with the manager and the sporting director were really good, and now I'm here."

Your new team-mates put on quite a show for you in that game against Hearts – what was that experience like, being in the stands for that? 

"Really good, got goosebumps at the end with the song [Sunshine on Leith] and yeah, it was a good game, quite tight at the end, but it was good."

Is moving away from Germany and experiencing something different, is that something you always wanted to do in your career? 

"Yeah. I did it once when I was 18, I think, went to Norwich for a year, but now it's a permanent move so we're quite excited, me and my family and looking forward to being here."

Tell us about yourself as a player, the positions that you play, your style of play and how you and the manager see you fitting into this team?

"I can play every position on the right side, even on the left side. In my youth I played as a winger; when I came into the first team at Borussia Dortmund I went to the right-back position.

"Normally I can play everywhere on the right and the left side."

What sort of impact do you hope to have between now and the end of the season - do you think you'll be able to quickly get up to speed and make an impact in this team? 

"Hopefully! I had one training session before the game tomorrow and of course it will take some days to get used to it, to get to know the guys but we will see if I play tomorrow.

"Minutes are always good on the pitch with the guys and hopefully it will be better and better week on week."

What are your impressions of the team? I guess you've watched them from afar but now being on the training field with them, the qualities that they have and maybe what they can go on to achieve this season? 

"Yeah, it's a really good group of players, really kind, I had a nice welcome. I think we can reach position four in the table, I think that should be our target and qualifying for Europe."

Can I take you back to the start of your career, because you came through, very young, at a huge club in Dortmund. What was that like for you and how has that impacted your career?

 Yeah, it was a dream of mine to play for Dortmund. When I was 14 I went to Dortmund, and then when I was, I think, 17, I made my professional debut.

Passlack with Jurgen Klopp at a Dortmund training camp in Spain (Image: Johannes Simon)

It was quite good for me, and for my personality to be at this massive club and also good for my development as a player.

"It's always good to play with really good players, I learned a lot from it and it helped me a lot."

Do you think it benefited you, to have played senior football since a very young age, when a lot of guys haven't? 

"Of course, of course. I think I got a lot of experience, also in the Champions League and Europa League, so yeah, it helps me a lot."

Felix Passlack in action for Borussia Dortmund against Besiktas in a Champions League clash (Image: Alexandre Simoes)

Playing alongside world-class players in training and in games as well must accelerate your development? 

"Of course, yeah, of course. When the group is good, and the players are good, the development for the young players is always better than the other way around."

Who were the guys you looked up to in that team? 

In my position, especially Lucasz Piszczek and then in the midfield we had Ilkay Gündogan, Mario Götze, Henrikh Mkhitaryan... up front we had Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang; at centre-back Mats Hummels, guys like that."

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, left, celebrates a goal for Dortmund with Felix Passlack (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Was January frustrating for you? Because you were here in December for the derby and you had a feeling this was going to happen, but did you know for sure? 

'No, I didn't know for sure because Bochum had to buy a replacement, so I was waiting from the 1st of January like, 'Come on, get someone, get someone!' 

"So yeah, it was a little bit frustrating but now I'm here, everything's good and everyone's happy."

You mentioned the atmosphere at the derby – were you quite surprised by the intensity, the atmosphere of the game itself?

"Yeah, it was quite good, quite similar to the 2. Bundesliga. I think it's always good to be intense and it's also my game, my style of play."

There are a few players coming over from Germany to Scotland at the moment, players at Aberdeen, Alexander Schwolow at Hearts, Ryan Naderi at Rangers – what is it about Scottish football that you think appeals?

"I don't know. I mean, there's a German sporting director at Aberdeen, so he will hire German players, so it's good for the players that they have someone to talk to in German now!

"I think it's always good to get out of your country, to go out of your comfort zone, and I think Scotland is a great step for that. 

Do you know any of the guys here who have come over from Germany?

"Dennis Geiger, yes. Dennis Geiger. He's at Aberdeen now. I played with him in the national team and at Hoffenheim for one year."

We talk about there being a Scottish type of player when they go abroad. Is there a Bundesliga type, do you think? Because we all see the Bundesliga and we say, oh it's so fast....

Yeah, I think the Bundesliga is faster than the Scottish Premiership but at the end of the day, it's just football."