O'Connor: Russia Move Is Good For Me

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Former Scotland and Lokomotiv Moscow striker Garry O'Connor talks to R-Sport about his surprise move back to Russia with second-tier side FC Tom Tomsk, revealing his expectations with ambitious Siberian side, the other offers he had received and discussing the plight of Glasgow Rangers.

Former Scotland and Lokomotiv Moscow striker Garry O'Connor talks to R-Sport about his surprise move back to Russia with second-tier side FC Tom Tomsk, revealing his expectations with ambitious Siberian side, the other offers he had received and discussing the plight of Glasgow Rangers.

After your spell at Lokomotiv, a lot of people will be asking 'Why Russia again?'

“With last year coming back to Hibs, I always wanted to come back abroad, and obviously this move’s come about and I’m happy with it. There were a few more options, but with experience in Russia before, I enjoyed myself at Lokomotiv. Tomsk obviously got relegated the year before, but the challenge of trying to get them back into the Russian Premier League, it’s good for me. That’s what I want to do, have a challenge in front of me. The club are looking forward, trying to push to get back into the Russian Premier League and I want to be a part of that and hopefully be successful again in Russia like the first time.”

What are your first impressions of Tomsk?

“The weather’s really hot, and we’re trying to find some apartments at the moment, but everything’s good, you know. I know I’ve experienced Russia before but this is more inside Russia and I’m enjoying myself so far. The club have really took care of me and I’m happy with it.”

How much did you know about the club before you signed?

“I played against them a few times when I was here the first time around and I played in Tomsk before with Lokomotiv. I knew a little bit about it and I’ve done a bit of research and spoke with my family about it. It was surely the right move for me. I had other teams abroad, but Tomsk showed a really big interest in me, how they followed my career and the manager really wanted to take me to this club so it was a bit of a no-brainer for me. It was my first day of training today and I was happy here and there’s a lot of good players as well. I just want to concentrate, get match fitness and I look forward to being in the starting 11, hopefully as soon as possible.”

From what you've said , it seems you like the ambition at the club.

“That’s the target, that’s the impression I got, so that’s what basically sold it to me. They are a Russian Premier League team and obviously they got relegated last year, but they still have that ambition there and the drive, the people about the place. And they still have a lot of good players so hopefully I can add to that. The president’s showed good faith in me and hopefully I can repay the club with good performances and obviously scoring goals, which my main job is.”

With the club being relegated and your personal problems [including two court cases], both sides in this deal have had some setbacks in the last year. Do you see any parallels?

“Not really. As I’ve come in, they’ve been more focused, pre-season’s already begun and they’ve played a game already so I’m playing a bit of catch-up, but it doesn’t seem to be that way. The players seem to know their job, the demands put on them, and they’ve got a really good coach who wants to get straight back up as well. That’s definitely the ambition and that’s what really sold it to me. That’s where you want to be, playing in the top level of football. Hopefully we can do that in the first year.”

Could a strong season here see you back in the Scotland team?

“I’ve not really thought too much about the national team. I’ve never really put myself out of the picture in that aspect of it. If the national team come calling and I’m doing a good job at this club, I would go back to the national team, of course, but I think we’re a wee bit away from that at the moment. I just want to focus on getting settled back in Russia, get back to a good level of fitness and performance. If the Scotland manager wants to bring me back into the team, then I’d be more than happy to do that.”

Did you have any offers from Scottish teams?

“I had offers from Scottish clubs and from abroad. I weighed all my options up. It was a family decision. It wasn’t a hard decision. I’m happy with my choice and I’m just looking forward to putting the jersey on and getting started as soon as possible here.”

Have you learned any lessons from your time at Lokomotiv?

“I know a little bit about the Russian game, of course. I’ve played against a few First Division teams, but the First Division here, from what I’m seeing, is quite a good standard, it’s maybe a bit like the SPL. The players are a lot fitter here and there’s more of a passing game as well, so it’ll suit my game a little bit as well.”

When are you likely to be available for your first game?

“Not for the next match [on Tuesday]. I won’t be available for that one. It was my first day’s full training today with the ball. I’ve done a lot of work on my fitness levels, my fitness levels are really good at the moment. That’s my first training session fully with a football since the Cup final with Hibs and Hearts. Maybe Tomsk’s first home game [on July 23], it’s a derby game, so hopefully I’ll be available for selection in that one.”

What's your reaction to the decision to drop Rangers to the Scottish Third Division?

“It’s hard to comment on that from the outside. It’s been a strong decision to vote them down to the Third Division. They’re a massive club with a massive fanbase, so I’m sure they’ll pick themselves up and get back where they belong.”

Why do you think there are no Scots in the Great Britain Olympic team?

“It is a little bit surprising because we do have quite a few good players. I think there should have maybe been two or three from every nation in Great Britain. Maybe it’s just the way things have worked out. There’s a lot of good English players, Welsh players and Irish players as well, so good luck to them.”

 

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