GOC Nearer To Moscow......

[KerPlunk]

From BBC Sport.....


O'Connor nears move to Lokomotiv
Garry O'Connor
O'Connor celebrates another goal
Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow are closing in on the signing of Hibernian striker Garry O'Connor in a £1.6m deal.

The 22-year-old has pulled out of the Scotland squad for Wednesday's friendly against Switzerland to finalise details of the move and complete a medical.

O'Connor will become the first Scot to play in Russia and will earn a reported £16,000 per week if he makes the move.

Lokomotiv are anxious to conclude contract negotiations before the closure of the Russian transfer window.

"We were asked by Hibs if he could go for a medical and we can't stand in his way," Scotland manager Walter Smith said of O'Connor's release from the national squad.

"It means a lot to Hibs in terms of transfer fees and it gives a young man the chance to achieve a contract that he couldn't get at another Scottish club."

The striker is Hibs' joint-leading goalscorer this season, alongside Derek Riordan, with 14 goals.

He has two years left on his current contract at Easter Road, but a move to Lokomotiv, who finished third in the last season's Russian championship, could make him a millionaire.