O’Connor does not rule out Scotland return
July 15th, 2012 - 2:34 pm ICT by IANSMoscow, July 15 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Former Scotland forward Garry O’Connor has not ruled out featuring for the national team again after his surprise move to the Russian second tier football club.
O’Connor signed a two-year contract with Siberian side FC Tomsk after his contract with Scottish side Hibernian expired at the end of last season.
“If the Scotland manager wants to bring me back into the team, then I’d be more than happy to do that,” he said.
“I’ve never really put myself out of the picture in that aspect of it.”
“If the national team come calling and I’m doing a good job at this club, I would go back, of course, but I think we’re a wee bit away from that at the moment.”
O’Connor also defended the level of play in the Russian first division, likening it to the Scottish Premier League.
The striker became the first British footballer to play in Russia in 2006 after joining Lokomotiv Moscow, but failed to hold down a first-team place during his 15-month spell with the club.
O’Connor was sentenced to 200 hours community service in Edinburgh last month after he was found guilty of possessing cocaine and obstructing a police officer, soon after he was acquitted on unrelated charges of insurance fraud.
He earned 16 caps for Scotland between 2002 and 2009, scoring four goals.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
sr/sog
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