Calcutta: Putting up a promising performance in his first appearance in East Bengal colours, Jobby Justin thanked IM Vijayan for giving him the right advice.

“Vijayan is my idol. Before coming here, I had gone to him. I was also having some problems at the electricity board, which is my workplace. When I went to Vijayan, he told me that I should go to Calcutta if there’s an offer and play for East Bengal. He said it would benefit my career.

“So, I took his advice and as of now, things have gone well. Hope I can improve on this showing,” Justin said on Monday.

Vijayan, too, foresees a bright future for Justin. “He had come to me for my opinion. I did tell him to take up the offer because we all know the mileage a footballer can get, on being successful at East Bengal.

“Besides, there’s nothing much in Kerala for which one can stay back,” the former India and Mohun Bagan striker said.

“It’s really good to know that Justin has scored in his first game (for East Bengal)… Good that VP Suhair also continues to be amongst goals,” Vijayan added.

He has to travel miles to match the achievements of Vijayan, but Justin, at present, seems focused more on working further on his combination with Suhair. “Suhair and I have played quite a few matches together, for Kerala, in the Santosh Trophy and the National Games.

“I think we’ve done well so far. Hopefully, we’ll continue doing so for East Bengal,” Justin said.