Sunday paper reports that his agent has made the first move that will hopefully resolve the prolems that led to the Locomotive Moscow striker's Scotland career stalling.
I'm just passing onto you lads north of the order, a report in today's papers.
Who is he?
2007-02-04 11:00:27 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in News & Events ➔ Media & Journalism
Garry O'Connor joined Lokomotiv Moscow in March, it made for a Scottish-footballer-is-tempted-abroad scenario like no other. Not simply because the 23-year-old player was the first from these borders to move to Russia: jaws slackened when his sale raked in £1.6m for Hibernian, and brought him a three-year deal at £18,000 a week.
Now, it looks as if O'Connor's associations with the Moscow club could end like so many overseas adventures undertaken by Scottish players - because the missus misses home. The striker gives every indication that family considerations will force him to give up on life with the Russian league leaders, and a life-changing salary, after the season ends there in late November.
"I'm enjoying Moscow, but my family is not too sure about Russia," says O'Connor, who will return to that area of the world for Scotland's Euro 2008 qualifier against Ukraine on Wednesday. "I don't think my missus can settle, but that is not going to put me off my stride. The club hasn't done anything for three years, but now we're top of the table, and it's great to be a part of that.
"But Lisa is finding it quite difficult, and we are going to have to look at the bigger picture at the end of the season. She is from Port Seton, basically a small village, and moving to such a big city has been hard. Even going to restaurants and things like that is difficult. I can speak a little bit of Russian, but she has none.
"My family means everything to me, and at the end of the season we will sit down. We have one little boy [Josh] who is coming up for three, and we have to do the right thing for him, too. We'll wait and see when the time comes. I've spoken to the club about it, and they understand - it happens with all their foreign players.
"It's actually not that bad for me. We are mostly at the training camp, and I have my football pals about me. Once I'm in and about the club it's fine, and they all speak English to me. But if Lisa is over then she is by herself, and is so isolated.
"I'm away two days before every game and am flying around the country, so it's hard for her. You can get British TV if you buy a Sky card from over here and get someone in to fix it, but we don't have one."
Looking at the bigger picture may not involve a rethink over O'Connor's previously-stated aim to play on the Continent. "My missus could be closer to home, so it might not be a problem. At the moment it takes hours and two separate flights to get to Moscow, but if I was in Italy or France, it might only be a single hour-and-a-half flight."
The striker was linked with a move to Hearts before the last transfer window closed. He insists that was never on.
"I couldn't do that to Hibs. I will be honest to Hibs and Rod Petrie, who looked after me. I hope I can come back to Scotland at some point, maybe when I'm 25 or 26 - my missus would like that. The Scottish league has probably got better since I left, but I'm sure I could cope with all the pressures. But I fancy the Premiership or the Championship, both very good leagues."
O'Connor could find himself with few options. The striker is "not sure" about a transfer fee in the event of his seeking a move; his agent, Gary Mackay, will discuss the matter with Lokomotiv. But he is liable to be told that the club will seek to recoup what they paid for him only eight months ago. Few teams in Britain or the Continent would find that price tag an attractive proposition, and O'Connor's salary terms even less so.
"Money isn't everything," the player reflects. "I've spoken about it with my family, and although my missus would rather I stayed on the same terms, it might not be possible. I've also spoken with my mum and dad, and if I have to take a cut, so be it."
2007-02-07 08:10:44 · answer #1 · answered by Gar 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
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2017-01-02 08:37:46 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2007-02-07 10:54:04 · answer #3 · answered by NIGEL R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋