Interview with Andrei Kanchelskis

[Swoosh]

'O'Connor on right track with Lokomotiv move'
DAN BRENNAN

http://sport.scotsman.com/football.cfm?id=386522006

IF, AS expected, Garry O'Connor makes his Lokomotiv Moscow league debut in the curtain raiser against Krylia Sovetov on Sunday, his first task will be to shake off the attentions of former SPL stalwart Andrei Kanchelskis.

The former Rangers and Manchester United winger completed a move to Krylia last week and, while the 37-year-old has lost much of his electrifying pace, he is adapting nicely to his new role as a right-back.

The Ukrainian is now into his third year in the Russian premier league, having spent the past two seasons with FC Saturn, but warned O'Connor that he will have to work hard to adapt to his new surroundings.

"A lot of players have come to Russia and struggled to adapt," says Kanchelskis. "Either that or they simply weren't good enough.

"Overall, I wouldn't say that the calibre of foreigners we've had coming in has improved the game. But in the last couple of seasons the accent with the top clubs has definitely been on quality.

"It was becoming such a problem that for this season they've actually brought in a new limit on foreign players. Each team can only have a maximum of eight foreign players on the pitch, and three Russians.

"But I would say Lokomotiv and CSKA are two clubs who have generally got it right with the foreigners they've brought in. And if Loko have signed him, it means they will have done their homework.

"Even for me it was hard coming back to the former Soviet Union. After playing in England, Scotland and Italy, I found a lot of things were lacking - the atmosphere in the stadiums, the level of professionalism in the way clubs are run. But things have been changing for the better gradually.

"Lokomotiv are an excellent club, very professionally run. You cannot say that about all of the Russian clubs yet. He'll be playing at a much higher level than Hibs, and he will only benefit from that. He's made the right decision. Though he can expect a very different style of football from the SPL.

"I think the fact they have a new coach will help O'Connor settle, as there will be a lot of things changing, so for the newcomers it won't be so hard to break in.

"And O'Connor has youth on his side, so that will make it easier for him to adapt. But the one thing I would say, if he wants to really get on, he's got to give learning Russian his best shot.

"That might not be so easy for him, but if he makes an effort it will be recognised. And you can be sure that the club will be doing everything to help him.

"Lokomotiv has a good infrastructure, they are well used to looking after foreign players, and they will help him as much as they can.

"They will go out of their way to organise everything for him and his family - they will find him a good flat, a good nursery for their child if that's needed. There's something for all tastes in Moscow. There are even places outside the city that cost US $5-6 million these days.

"The main thing is that he shows a willingness to adapt. They are a club with ambitions to get back into the Champions League and they will not mess about, or tolerate anyone who is not committed to the cause.

"I remember O'Connor coming through at Hibs when I was in my last season at Rangers, though I'm not sure if we actually played against each other. But I'll look forward to seeing what he's like.

"And if he wants any tips about playing in Russia, I'll be all too happy to oblige - but he'll have to wait until after the game next weekend for that."

The Scotland striker completed his £1.6 million move from Hibernian last week, meaning he will miss the Edinburgh side's bid to win their first Scottish Cup in 104 years. However, Kanchelskis believes O'Connor has a good chance of claiming silverware with his new club.

"Lokomotiv are one of a handful of clubs who are probably at top European levels in terms of their professionalism, along with CSKA, Spartak and Dynamo. And you can probably add Zenit St Petersburg as well.

"Along with CSKA Moscow and Spartak, Lokomotiv will be the team to beat this season.

"Those three will be favourites for the title. Dynamo have spent big, but they are a new team.

"Lokomotiv have quite a few other new players coming in too, but they also have a very strong Russian midfield core in Dmitry Loskov and Marat Izmailov.

"They have a superb stadium - Cherkizovo. He'll love it. It's a bit like a real British stadium, with the stands close to the pitch - not like a lot of grounds here. They've got excellent training facilities as well.

"It will be hard for O'Connor at first, especially with the language barrier. And the pre-match routine is going to be a lot tougher than what he's probably been used to. Teams here spend a couple of days before matches staying at their training bases. And the dietary regime is very strict. But they are all things you can adapt to if you are professional.

"I'd imagine Moscow will be a bit of a surprise to him too. There are lots of good restaurants; lots of nice places to go. He should definitely give the Bolshoi, and the opera a try.

"In terms of culture and entertainment, Moscow is as good as any big city in Europe. But it can also be a nightmare to get around. The traffic jams get worse by the year. You just have to get used to that. The stories about mafia and crime you read about in the press are exaggerated. Moscow is like any big city, there are places you go and places you don't. It's the same in London or Glasgow, isn't it?

"He'll be able to get about the city no problem and, for the moment at least, he's not going to be recognised too easily. Players don't get the same attention they do in Glasgow, for example. It's not that intense.

"That might change of course if he starts scoring lots of goals quickly!"

[loko fan]

he's not a ukranian! he was born there, his surname is lithuanian but he's a russian citizen