Andygers
07-21-2008, 12:14 PM
Post all news and opinions about our new striker here.
ANDRIUS VELICKA'S £1million move to Rangers has probably established him as the most high-profile Lithuanian player operating in Europe.
But the former Hearts man says his transfer has hardly caused a stir in his homeland - as the people there are more interested in basketball.
The 29-year-old hitman is settling into life as a Rangers player after waiting a month to finally complete his move from Viking Stavanger.
Velicka, of course, proved to be a decent operator at Tynecastle and was one of a plethora of Lithuanians brought to Edinburgh by Vladimir Romanov.
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But, with the country gearing up for the Olympics in Beijing, and their basketball team the centre of attention, his move has hardly caused a ripple in the former Soviet state.
Velicka smiled: "No-one in my country is too bothered about my move. There has been some interest, but in Lithuania football is second to basketball.
"That is like a religion and everyone is talking about the basketball team and their preparations.
"A couple of journalists have spoken to me but football is not so important in my country at the moment.
"I had to work hard at Kaunas to get my chance to go to Hearts. If I am honest, no-one from Lithuania will come from my country straight to Rangers.
"I have to thank Mr Romanov because he trusted me and he put faith in me when I was at Kaunas. He gave me my chance and at Hearts I proved to everyone what I could do."
Velicka said his goodbyes to Tynecastle in February, ironically emerging at half-time to wave to the crowd on the night Rangers thrashed them 4-0.
But there was no way that he expected to be back in Scotland just a few months later, this time as a Rangers player.
He said: "I left Hearts for Norway, and I didn't think for a second that I would be back in Scotland so soon.
"I loved my time in Edinburgh, and in Norway, but you always dream of playing at a club like Rangers. I have played in so many countries and now, at 29, I have arrived at Rangers.
"I have been in Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Scotland and Norway. Each time I have had a different experience but, in somewhere like Kazakhstan, the football and the lifestyle was hard.
"In Norway nothing opened on a Sunday and the lifestyle was more laid back. I enjoyed my time in Edinburgh and, if I am honest, I missed Scottish football.
"Everything happens in Scotland, I like the pace of the people and the football. It has taken me nine years to achieve my goal, but I have finally arrived at a big club."
Velicka knows he faces a tough battle to be a first pick as gaffer Walter Smith has the likes of Kenny Miller, Jean-Claude Darcheville, Daniel Cousin, Kris Boyd and Kyle Lafferty to choose from.
But he is confident in his own ability. And, after playing a dozen or so matches already this season at Stavanger, he is well ahead in terms of match sharpness, which could aid his cause.
"I need to show what I can do in training and then if I'm given a chance I have to take it," Velicka added.
"By working hard I got to Rangers and I won't change now. There are a lot of good strikers here, but I know I can play at a higher level."
I really hope he does well for us, I have a feeling he will be our best signing of the season. What are your thoughts on him?
ANDRIUS VELICKA'S £1million move to Rangers has probably established him as the most high-profile Lithuanian player operating in Europe.
But the former Hearts man says his transfer has hardly caused a stir in his homeland - as the people there are more interested in basketball.
The 29-year-old hitman is settling into life as a Rangers player after waiting a month to finally complete his move from Viking Stavanger.
Velicka, of course, proved to be a decent operator at Tynecastle and was one of a plethora of Lithuanians brought to Edinburgh by Vladimir Romanov.
advertisement
But, with the country gearing up for the Olympics in Beijing, and their basketball team the centre of attention, his move has hardly caused a ripple in the former Soviet state.
Velicka smiled: "No-one in my country is too bothered about my move. There has been some interest, but in Lithuania football is second to basketball.
"That is like a religion and everyone is talking about the basketball team and their preparations.
"A couple of journalists have spoken to me but football is not so important in my country at the moment.
"I had to work hard at Kaunas to get my chance to go to Hearts. If I am honest, no-one from Lithuania will come from my country straight to Rangers.
"I have to thank Mr Romanov because he trusted me and he put faith in me when I was at Kaunas. He gave me my chance and at Hearts I proved to everyone what I could do."
Velicka said his goodbyes to Tynecastle in February, ironically emerging at half-time to wave to the crowd on the night Rangers thrashed them 4-0.
But there was no way that he expected to be back in Scotland just a few months later, this time as a Rangers player.
He said: "I left Hearts for Norway, and I didn't think for a second that I would be back in Scotland so soon.
"I loved my time in Edinburgh, and in Norway, but you always dream of playing at a club like Rangers. I have played in so many countries and now, at 29, I have arrived at Rangers.
"I have been in Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Scotland and Norway. Each time I have had a different experience but, in somewhere like Kazakhstan, the football and the lifestyle was hard.
"In Norway nothing opened on a Sunday and the lifestyle was more laid back. I enjoyed my time in Edinburgh and, if I am honest, I missed Scottish football.
"Everything happens in Scotland, I like the pace of the people and the football. It has taken me nine years to achieve my goal, but I have finally arrived at a big club."
Velicka knows he faces a tough battle to be a first pick as gaffer Walter Smith has the likes of Kenny Miller, Jean-Claude Darcheville, Daniel Cousin, Kris Boyd and Kyle Lafferty to choose from.
But he is confident in his own ability. And, after playing a dozen or so matches already this season at Stavanger, he is well ahead in terms of match sharpness, which could aid his cause.
"I need to show what I can do in training and then if I'm given a chance I have to take it," Velicka added.
"By working hard I got to Rangers and I won't change now. There are a lot of good strikers here, but I know I can play at a higher level."
I really hope he does well for us, I have a feeling he will be our best signing of the season. What are your thoughts on him?