Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 00:01• Last update: 00:08

Quincy Promes was not part of the selection of the Dutch national team during the past international period, partly because he had to miss a few games in the first weeks of the season due to a muscle injury. The 29-year-old attacker of Spartak Moscow calls it a bonus if he does receive an invitation for the Dutch in October. At the same time, Promes says on the official website of Spartak that he is not keeping an eye on Guus Til at Feyenoord.

“It is always difficult to get a place in the the Dutch squad: the national coach can choose from a large number of players. I have played fifty games for my country in seven years. If I’m in good shape and I get another call, I’ll report back. That would be a bonus. Mr Van Gaal knows my qualities. But my focus is on Spartak”, says Promes. Til, who was rented out by Spartak to Feyenoord, was called up for the the Dutch squad and made his first international goal against Turkey.

Promes is asked whether he follows Til’s actions at Feyenoord. “No, I don’t follow him. I am not interested in Feyenoord, because I come from Ajax. When Guus plays against my former Ajax teammates, I will see him at work. I’m happy for him, but why didn’t he score so many times for Spartak? He was ill at ease or not being used properly. It’s one of the two.”

The goal for next season is clear for Promes. “That is becoming a champion. I’m used to fighting for the top spots. We cannot accept the current place,” Promes points out to Spartak’s current tenth place in the Premjer Liga. “When I arrived at Sparta seven years ago, I was told that the club hadn’t won a champion for years. That could not be reconciled with the fact that Spartak is the most successful club in Russia. I promised that I would not go to another club until Spartak would be champion again and I kept my word.”

“I can say the same now. I’m not going anywhere until we win a prize. Guiding Spartak to first place is a motivation”, continues Promes. He had only a week’s holiday after the European Championships and notices that his body stepped on the brakes. “I am not a robot. But that said, I’m working very hard to get back as soon as possible. I will be thirty soon. How old is Cristiano Ronaldo now? Obviously, you have to work harder on yourself as you get older. This injury that I have now had could have happened to anyone.”