Jim White 0 Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 (edited) Andrius Velicka is hoping he can prove to Rangers manager Walter Smith that he can replace Kris Boyd. More... Velicka wants Rangers chance Andrius Velicka is hoping he can prove to Rangers manager Walter Smith that he does not need to enter the transfer market to replace Kris Boyd. Lithuanian striker Velicka is closing on a return to full fitness after suffering a cruciate ligament injury while on loan at Bristol City last season. Smith has made signing a striker his top priority this summer, with Nacho Novo having left for Sporting Gijon and the prolific Boyd rejecting a deal to stay in Glasgow. Velicka's days as a Rangers player looked numbered when he went to Ashton Gate on a season-long loan, but the 31-year-old believes he can revive his Ibrox career next term. He said in the News of the World: "Two seasons ago, I had a couple of good games, but I need to prove to everyone, especially myself, that I can play at a high level for Rangers. "I'm hoping I get the chance to play some games in the Champions League this season. I hope my best form is in the future. "If Boyd goes, hopefully I can score as many goals as him. "We need to wait. The doc said to me last week that it will take time for me to build my fitness and my form. You can't come back to the game just like that. I've been out for a year and I need games." Former Hearts striker Velicka, who joined Rangers from Viking Stavanger for �£1million two years ago, needed two knee operations following his injury. "I hope I can be like a new signing for the club," he added. "The supporters were very good to me. All the fans I spoke to said they were waiting and hoping I would be back soon to help the team. "I was surprised by that because I thought they would forget me!" Edited June 6, 2010 by Zappa 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flying Hippo Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if we didn't sign any forwards at all and simply claimed that Velicka and Fleck were 'like new signings' 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if we didn't sign any forwards at all and simply claimed that Velicka and Fleck were 'like new signings' . There's definitely a chance that could happen, but hopefully not. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gribz 950 Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 I think Velicka does deserve a chance but this shouldnt stop us looking for a new signing and getting someone if the chance comes up. I'd have Velicka and Fleck upfron as a partnership over the mentioned names on other threads such as Lee Miller. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbr 1,270 Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 I think Velicka does deserve a chance but this shouldnt stop us looking for a new signing and getting someone if the chance comes up. I'd have Velicka and Fleck upfron as a partnership over the mentioned names on other threads such as Lee Miller. I have to agree , I was surprised we allowed him to leave , mind you that wasn't entirely down to football only decisions 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 I'll be seriously worried if we start the season depending on the 31yr old Velicka as Boyd's replacement when he's just coming back from a serious injury. Even fully fit he wouldn't be a replacement for Boyd, but then again I'm not sure we can find a suitable replacement with our budget restrictions, so it won't be easy. Coisty's going to be out at the World Cup, but the most promising strikers from the poorer countries are going to be getting head-hunted by teams from all over Europe who've got more money to spend than we do. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rbr 1,270 Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 I'll be seriously worried if we start the season depending on the 31yr old Velicka as Boyd's replacement when he's just coming back from a serious injury. Even fully fit he wouldn't be a replacement for Boyd, but then again I'm not sure we can find a suitable replacement with our budget restrictions, so it won't be easy. Coisty's going to be out at the World Cup, but the most promising strikers from the poorer countries are going to be getting head-hunted by teams from all over Europe who've got more money to spend than we do. We did the same thing rushing Thomson back before he was ready and look what happened to him last year , only time will tell , at least we will be getting players in , and to be honest I am not too bothered about the players that have left , if Boyd didn't want the money we offered then that's his choice and for �£400,000 he diesn't owe us anything , Novo ,Smith and even Broadfoot were all squad fillers anyway , though wee Nacho scored more than his fair share of IMPORTANT goals in his time 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zappa 0 Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 We did the same thing rushing Thomson back before he was ready and look what happened to him last year , only time will tell , at least we will be getting players in , and to be honest I am not too bothered about the players that have left , if Boyd didn't want the money we offered then that's his choice and for �£400,000 he diesn't owe us anything , Novo ,Smith and even Broadfoot were all squad fillers anyway , though wee Nacho scored more than his fair share of IMPORTANT goals in his time . In Boyd's case I think he's making a mistake if he leaves, but as MF pointed out yesterday... he hasn't left yet. I'm not overly fussed about the others, although if we'd sold him while fit, playing and under a 2/3 year contract, Stevie Smith could have bagged us a couple of million quid. I loved wee Nacho, but he's gone now and that's that. I also think that he was absolutely shocking at times. The recent one that sticks in my mind was him giving the ball away as the clock was ticking towards the final whistle out in Bucharest against Unirea. I also blame Walter Smith for that though because he shouldn't have brought Novo on at that point in the game when all we needed to do was hold on to possession for a minute or two and not concede a goal. Shocking sub decision by Smith. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whosthedado 1,737 Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 As Gribz says I would rather have Velicka than most of the names mentioned elsewhere about possible signings. Hopefully we will pull a rabbit from the hat so to speak. I wish we would hurry up! I hate how it always seems we leave things til the last minute in any transfer window. I suppose the last few we heaven't needed to bother! 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gisabeer 409 Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 we were supposed to be signing an under 21 danish international at the january transfer window for a million euros. snmith was banging on that that the deal was pulled from under him by muir at the time, i wonder why the deal hasnt been reserected. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.