Andrius Velicka on Move to Rangers

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Move to Rangers has me in dreamland, says Andrius Velicka

ANDRIUS VELICKA last night spoke of his delight at joining Rangers and set his sights on scoring an Old Firm winner.

The Lithuanian striker will jet into Glasgow tonight for a medical and is expected to sign a three-year contract tomorrow after Gers agreed a £1million fee with Viking Stavanger.

Velicka had a habit of finding the net against Celtic when he played for Hearts and hopes that scoring run will continue for Walter Smith's side.

Speaking exclusively to MailSport from Lithuania, Velicka said: "I am excited. Rangers are big and have a history everybody knows about.

"This is the kind of chance I have been waiting for since I was nine years old and started to play football.

"It is also an opportunity to help improve the reputation of Lithuanian footballers.

"A lot of people think our game is not of a good standard and that Lithuanian players aren't so good.

"Well I have a chance on a big stage to show that's not correct.

"To score in an Old Firm game would be perfect. That would be special, like a dream.

"I scored a few goals for Hearts against Celtic and in the Edinburgh derby against Hibs.

"But to score for Rangers against Celtic would be a bigger feeling than anything I've experienced in football."

Velicka will head back to Norway to play a few games for Viking before moving to Ibrox next month.

And the striker - who only left Hearts in January - insists he will be ready to hit the ground running.

He said: "I will be ready to join Rangers and will be in good fitness.

"The news I am joining Rangers has given me confidence and energy. I want to make a good impression."

Velicka grew up wanting to follow in the footsteps of his footballing father Liongina. And the 29-year-old is thrilled after landing the massive move he always dreamed of.

He said: "My dad was also a striker and I wanted to be like him. He always gave me great encouragement.

"But he gave up the game in Lithuania at 26 because there wasn't enough money in football.

"Now he is proud to see me develop my career this way."

Velicka first played against Rangers eight years ago in a Champions League qualifier for Kaunas.

Dick Advocaat was in charge at Ibrox and Gers won the first leg 4-1 at home before a stalemate in the return.

Andrius said: "I was on the bench in Glasgow and did not get on but I did feature in the second game.

"I was just 20 and the size of Rangers as a club impressed me.

"I had known about them before when I was a child and they had Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup.

"Walter Smith was the manager at that time and now he is going to be my boss. It can sometimes be funny how things work out."
 
you lot are really scrapping the reject barrel this year aint you .

Some may disagree

"Andrius scored three against Celtic and one against Rangers in the space of six weeks which shows he can do it against the top teams.

"The two he got when he came on as a sub against Celtic to put them out the CIS Cup were top drawer.


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