O'Connor warned he is playing Russian roulette

HEARTS star Deividas Cesnauskis today warned Garry O'Connor he will have to work hard to adapt to a new life in Russia if his proposed £1.6 million move to Lokomotiv Moscow goes through.

O'Connor's switch to the Russian capital - and a reported £16,000-a-week wage - moved a step closer yesterday with the news that the Easter Road favourite had passed his stringent medical.

He would become the first modern-day British player to ply their trade in Russia although there are a host of players from other European and South American countries already there.

But while the move would make the Scotland internationalist a millionaire, Cesnauskis, who spent five seasons in Russia, one of those with Lokomotiv, believes O'Connor, pictured below, will find it difficult to settle.

"For him (O'Connor) it will be difficult as it's a totally different lifestyle," said the Lithuanian internationalist. "The language is very hard to learn although it is something he must try and do if he is to be happy there.

"In Russia it's also a difficult season as the teams are far apart and there is a lot of flying between games and spending time away from home.

"You don't get as much free time as in Scotland. You train two times a day and have one day off only - the day after the game.

"It's harder training and there is less time for friends and family. It's difficult as it's always work when you are a footballer in Russia.

"Moscow is a difficult place and I think living here in Edinburgh is better."

However, should O'Connor adapt to the cultural differences and manage to settle into his new life, Cesnauskis believes his time at Lokomotiv will help to improve him as player.

"Lokomotiv are a very good team and when I was there we were champions although there is a new coach and new players there now," he said.

"But they have some good players still and playing with them will make him improve I'm sure.

"It's a very good stadium, they have good facilities and it's a good pitch so in football I'm sure he will be happy.

"The Russian coaches are strange, though, as they never let you have peace. They are pushing you all the time to work harder but, in the end, that will make you a better player. O'Connor is already a good player but I'm sure the time he spends in Russia will help him to improve more."

Meanwhile, Cesnauskis has revealed that he would love to extend his stay at Hearts.

The winger is on loan from Kaunas until the end of the season and, after an indifferent start to his career in Scotland, has become a regular starter in boss Graham Rix's team.

He netted a stunning goal against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup last weekend to book a place in the last four of the competition and he's keeping his fingers crossed that displays like that one will earn him a longer deal.

"When I first came to Scotland everything was different, even the food. But now I feel at home here and I'm happy especially as we have a good chance of playing in the Champions League next season.

"I have made friends here. It's a good life in Scotland. Everyone is very friendly to me all the time and Edinburgh is a very nice city to live in. Hopefully if I can stay in the team and keep playing well I'll be able to stay at the club after the end of this season. I still have another year at Kaunas after this so I'm hoping that I will be sent back to Hearts again."

Taken from the Scotsman