The 32-year-old Socceroos skipper made his competitive debut for Al Jazira in last Thursday's 4-3 Emirates Cup win over Diego Maradona's Al Wasl.

However, Neill, who spent the past 16 years playing in Europe, told The National the slow speed the game was played at in the UAE had come as a surprise to him.

"Because of the conditions, it has made the pace of the game slower to what I've been used to and it's meant I have mentally had to adjust,” Neill said.

"I have had to deliberately slow down and that's something that I perhaps didn't expect and I'll need to work on.

“I'll admit that's a little bit out of my comfort zone. Although I'm sure the pace of games will quicken as the weather cools down."

Temperatures in the UAE are currently reaching maximums of 40°C, with it usually only cooling to mid-thirties in the evenings when games are played.

Despite the intense heat, the former Millwall, Blackburn, West Ham and Everton defender said that he's loving his new life in the UAE.

"Off the field, it has been amazing. I like seeing the sun every day, certainly after 15 years in England when there were a lot more rainy days than sunny ones," he said.

"I am really enjoying it. Abu Dhabi is great if you want a busy or a quite life, just sitting by the pool.

“The family is about to move out of the hotel and that will make things easier. So far, everything could not have gone better.”

As for getting to know his new team-mates, Neill added: “What I would like to say is the guys have made me so welcome.

“Everyone has come up to shake my hand. Having been a captain myself, I know how important it is to make the new boy feel at home and they have certainly done that.

"All the guys, the foreign and local boys, have made it really easy for me."

He also said he's been impressed by the standard of some of his team-mates, despite them lacking confidence in their own ability.

"There are some fine footballers at this club, but there are also players who don't actually realise just how good they are," he said.

"It's up to a couple of us to have a word here and there to say that it's up to them to live up to their potential, because there's a lot of potential in that squad.

"I have been lucky enough to see footballers from all over the world and I played with, and against, some top guys in England, so I know what weapons you need to be good and these guys have got them."

Neill has already met the local Royal family after an official reception for the club and players at a palace.

He added: "That really blew me away. I know how important it is to meet the rulers of the country, and to do that in my first month was remarkable.

"I can't quite believe I got to meet some of the most important people in the UAE almost straight away."