Ex-Hearts striker Velicka would love Rangers transfer

ANDRIUS VELICKA today welcomed the prospect of a quick-fire transfer to Rangers little more than three months after leaving Hearts for a new life in Norway.

The Lithuanian striker, currently plying his trade with Viking Stavanger, is receptive to interest from Ibrox, where manager Walter Smith is considering an offer in the region of 1million.

Rangers have monitored Velicka's prowess since his time in Edinburgh. He left Tynecastle at the end of February but Smith is keen to return him to Scotland, where he scored an impressive 26 goals in 56 games for Hearts.

"If it can happen, it will be amazing. To play for Rangers would just be unbelievable," Velicka told the Evening News. "They are a big club in Europe and I think they are the best club in Scotland. I would be proud to get the chance to play for Rangers. I don't want to talk too much about this because I don't know anything yet."

Officials at the Viking Stadium have confirmed they have yet to receive an official approach from Rangers regarding Velicka. The Norwegian Tippeligaen now begins a three-week summer break and the forward conceded his new club have been less than convincing during the opening ten games of the season.

"I'm happy in Norway, although the Viking results are not good at the moment," he said. "We were ninth in the league table but we won yesterday (2-0 against Bodo Glimt] and now move up to sixth place. I've scored three goals in league matches and two in cup games. My performance is not bad. I'm trying to do my best for the team."