Efe Ambrose insists he has no regrets over his ill-fated move to Derby County because it allowed him to work under his “hero” Frank Lampard.
The Nigerian is back in Scottish football after signing an 18-month deal with Livingston – over a year after he quit Hibs for the East Midlands.
Ambrose didn’t make a single top team appearance for the Rams under Chelsea legend Lampard, and has been without a club since leaving in the summer.
Despite not playing competitively for over a year, Ambrose is still glad he made the decision to quit Hibs and head south.
“Do I regret the move to Derby? No, you cannot regret things in football or life,” he said. “The most important thing was what I learned from Derby.
“I met the guys there, played with some great players and worked with Frank Lampard and the coaching staff.
“They really helped me and developed me. I didn’t have the chance to play but I did not regret it. It was an experience for me.
“I played a few games with the under-23s and although I didn’t make my debut, I took a lot from my time there: the training, the intensity and quality of the players and seeing the work of a great coach.
“Football doesn’t stop and if you don’t get a chance somewhere, you’ll get the chance somewhere else...today I have my chance to play at Livingston and show what I can do again.
“I can say I worked with the Chelsea manager! He is a good guy, a great personality and my hero. I have always supported Chelsea when he was there so it was very special to work with him.”
Linking up with former Easter Road teammate Marvin Bartley proved to be a key factor in Livingston signing Ambrose.
The midfielder left the Hibees under freedom of contract to sign a three-year deal with Livi last summer, and was hugely influential in getting Ambrose to join him in West Lothian.
“I have played with him and his word means a lot,” he explained. “If Marv is enjoying being at a club, then I know there is something special.
“When I was at Derby we always spoke and he told me about Livingston, and I have also played against them. I was very happy for him.
“I know the reputation of this club: tough, hard to beat. I remember this from when I was at Hibs. The team is strong, they fight together and the spirit in the club is good.
“There was other interest but nothing concrete. The only thing I had was St Mirren but Livingston came first and I chose them instead.”
Typically, the fixture list sees Livi away at Hibs this Saturday before hosting Celtic, but Ambrose isn’t here for an on-field reunion.
“It is just football,” he said. “Brother plays against brother, friend plays against friend.
“On the pitch, I will concentrate on Livingston - away from the pitch I will have my friends at Hibs and Celtic.”
