Former Ukraine national team player Ivan Hetsko commented on the news about the merger of Lviv’s “Karpaty” and “Rukh”.
— What can I say… As far as I understand, one of the club presidents is not in very good shape. So it seems they decided that to avoid completely falling apart, this step was taken.
— What do you think will come of this idea?
— Nothing good. They wanted to see “Rukh” in the Europa League, playing regularly in European competitions, but now they have just dismantled the team. I really liked “Rukh.” Very much. The club has a good youth school. And although the owner insists it will continue to operate under his leadership, it’s all in question. Just think: why maintain a football school if there will be no main team for its graduates to join? To send them to “Karpaty”? That club has its own academy, and I believe they will primarily focus on their own players rather than graduates from “Rukh.” I think everything will fall apart, and that will be the end of it.
— At one time, in the capital of Galicia, there were already two clubs in the elite — “Karpaty” and “Lviv,” but fans know well what that led to.
— Exactly. In my opinion, one city cannot support two super teams. Thank God that at least “Karpaty” returned to the elite. But “Rukh” will not be a competitor for them now. A small group of players, as far as I know, will move to “Karpaty,” and others will scatter elsewhere. It’s a pity. After all, “Rukh” had very good youth players with great potential, and they played quite well. I am very sorry that everything falls apart so easily.
Maxim Kovalenko