Post by QPR Report on Aug 15, 2009 6:59:45 GMT
Bristol Evening Post
Velicka close to Bristol City move
Bristol City are close to signing Lithuania international Andrius Velicka.
The 30-year-old Glasgow Rangers striker was due in Bristol today for talks with Robins manager Gary Johnson.
City have agreed a season-long loan with the Scottish Premier League champions.
Velicka will see City in Championship action against Crystal Palace at Ashton Gate this afternoon before undergoing a medical examination.
Providing international clearance can be obtained on Monday, the six foot target man will be eligible to make his debut against Queens Park Rangers in Bristol on Tuesday night.
Johnson said: "We're interested in Andrius and, subject to the medical and agreeing the final draft of the loan with Rangers, he will be joining us for the season."
Johnson has made no secret of his desire to sign a tall centre forward to replace Dele Adebola, who left to join Nottingham Forest at the end of last season. And Valicka fits the bill.
He launched his career with Lithuanian club Kaunas before spending spells with Danish side Viking FK and Scottish Premier League Hearts.
He joined Rangers in 2008, since when he has made just eight first-team appearances.
Velicka wants to play regular first-team football and Gers boss Walter Smith was happy to do business when City came calling.
A centre forward in the old-fashioned mould, Velicka has accrued 20 caps for his country, scoring two goals. He will provide competition for record signing Nicky Maynard, Danny Haynes, David Clarkson and John Akinde.
Meanwhile Johnson has insisted Haynes must learn from his sending off at Brentford and never allow it to happen again.
Signed from Ipswich Town during the summer, the 20-year-old forward arrived with a reputation for being temperamental.
And City fans witnessed the fiery side of his nature when he was dismissed six minutes into the second half of last Tuesday's Carling Cup tie at Brentford after being shown a second yellow card.
Sent off for a late challenge on Bees defender Ryan Dickson, Haynes had earlier been cautioned for kicking the ball away, an act which led him into conflict with his manager. As a result, Haynes was handed a one-match suspension, ruling him out of today's game.
"What happened at Brentford was disappointing in more ways than one," said Johnson. "He has that little streak and we just have to make sure that it doesn't show itself too often.
"It's what makes him a good player as well as a bad player, actually. We just have to manage it and make sure he doesn't cross the line.
"Unfortunately, he did that against Brentford and he deserved to be sent off."
Johnson publicly criticised his new signing after City's 10 men held on to beat Brentford 1-0 and took him aside to speak to him after training on Thursday.
"He has to realise he let the team down through childish petulance," said Johnson. "There were 10 men who have another big game coming up on Saturday who had to work even harder. Running around to make up for being a player short takes up a lot of energy and a lot of concentration.
"He apologised after the game. He's realised the error of his ways, which is good, and promised it won't happen again."
www.thisisbristol.co.uk/sport/Velicka-close-Bristol-City/article-1255464-detail/article.html