14 May 2006

CZECH striker Libor Sionko has a clear idea about his future. He wants to join Rangers tomorrow, to play for his country at the World Cup, then return to Glasgow to lead the Ibrox club "to where they belong", at the top of the Scottish Premierleague.

Although Rangers have distanced themselves from speculation that Sionko will sign in Glasgow tomorrow, Austria Vienna confirmed that their midfielder had packed his bags in readiness for the move.

"We did not pull our option on a contract extension for Libor, as he made it clear that his future was in Glasgow," said FK Austria's sporting director, Peter Stoger. "We made him a new offer, but we cannot compete against Rangers."

Sionko revealed: "My agent, Pavel Zika, was up in Scotland for negotiations, and returned with a concrete offer in his hands. I had time to consider and compare it for the last couple of days, and it was on me to decide. That I have done now.

"I might have stayed in Vienna, had they offered me a three-year contract. But they couldn't, so I chose to leave.

"I have basically achieved all there was to win with Austria Vienna, and I could well imagine taking the next step in my career. Rangers are a fantastic side, and it would certainly be a huge leap ahead,"

In Austria, Sionko won the double with Grazer AK and Austria Vienna, plus another cup with the latter.

"This season's league title with FK Austria is my fifth altogether. I already won the Czech league with Sparta Prague and the Austrian with Grazer AK. But I am ready for more, and I am sure I can achieve that in Glasgow."

Sionko, with yet another Austrian double safe in his baggage, received an official farewell after his side defeated SV Mattersburg 3-0 in their cup final. "That was my goodbye from Vienna. It was great here, but I am really looking forward to the new challenge in Scotland."

The 29-year-old player spoke to Hearts' Rudi Skacel to learn more about conditions in Scotland.

"Scottish football has proven to be good soil for Czech players. Just think of the success Lubo [Moravcik, from Slovakia] had up there with Celtic. The same currently happens to Rudi [Skacel] and Hearts, so why not for me at Rangers, too?

"A couple of Bundesliga clubs approached me too, but I want to win a title and play in Europe. Rangers are definitely the best option. The team, its spirit and the atmosphere at the club were great in Vienna. But in Glasgow everything is a good deal bigger."

Although French teams Strasbourg and Monaco and several German clubs had been linked with the player, he stressed: "I really want to play for Rangers, as they are one of the most famous clubs in the world. They have a great team, great fans, a packed stadium in every match and most important, they can play in Europe."

Sionko was part of Sparta Prague's Champions League team, and has gained much experience at European level. His greatest moment came when he scored a double for Austria Vienna against Athletico Bilbao in the UEFA Cup in 2005. After a goal-less draw in Vienna, the Austrians defeated the favoured Spaniards 2-1 on aggregate to reach the last 16.

"I am planning to stay in Glasgow for a longer spell and win some silverware. Therefore, I was aiming for at least a three-year deal. But if they give me a piece of paper Monday that bound me for four years, I would agree."

The versatile Czech internationalist is set to replace Thomas Buffel in midfield. The Belgian completed a £2.5m move to Ibrox in January 2005, and manager Alex McLeish initially had high hopes for the then 23-year-old, who had fallen out of favour with Feyenoord boss Ruud Gullit.

The Czech player is eager to get to know Paul Le Guen, who is taking over from McLeish. "Le Guen has known me since my European Cup displays for Sparta Prague, and has been chasing me since then. And although he did not have the time to come in person recently, he sent his assistants over to watch me play on several occasions."

Le Guen identified Sionko as one of at least six positions in the Rangers line-up which need to be beefed up, and the Czech has high hopes.

"Le Guen is a very good coach, who has already proven his great skill in Lyon. I have not met him in person yet, but I am very keen on getting to know his style of training.

After joining Prague from his hometown club, Banik Ostrava, Sionko played in midfield before Karel Poborsky signed with Sparta and took precedence in the starting XI. However, Sionko showed his versatility, moving up to an attacking role and improving his striking skills.

"I scored more often than Karel, and when he was injured, I regained my old midfield spot, and played there till I left the club."

Sionko is keen to complete the Bosman transfer arrangements quickly and to have his future resolved before travelling to the World Cup with Karel Brückner's squad.

"I will sign the contract on Monday, and this could turn into an even bigger day, as the Czech World Cup team will be announced the same day," he declared.

According to Sionko, who played for his native land at the 2000 Olympic Games football tournament in Sydney, the Czech team are "mighty strong these days - and if all our injured players return, we can go a long, long way."

At the forthcoming World Cup, the Czech Republic will contest preliminary group E with Italy, Ghana and the United States, and Sionko is convinced that the team can do well: "In football anything can happen. Look at the Greeks at the Euro 2004. They did not have the best players, nor were they the most talented team. But they were definitely the best-organised and most consolidated team of all.

"Maybe I will come to Glasgow as a World Cup winner," the player added - sporting a wide grin. Source - Scotsman

11 May 2006

Rangers are expected to sign Czech Republic midfielder Libor Sionko.

The Gers have been linked with the Austria Vienna ace for some time and are believed to be close to tying up a deal for the 29-year-old.

Sionko claims he is set to travel to Glasgow next week to tie up the loose ends on the move.

"I will travel to Glasgow on Monday," said Sionko. Source - Sky Sports

10 May 2006

Czech playmaker Libor Sionko has cast doubt on a move to Rangers, following interest from another club.

The 29-year-old midfielder has been impressive at Austria Vienna this season, but is free to leave on a Bosman transfer.

And although he previously expressed a desire to move to Ibrox, it now seems he would snub The Gers if a better offer was made.

"My future is still up in the air," Sionko told the Daily Record. "Two clubs are interested and I have one concrete offer.

"Now it's up to me whether or not I sign that contract.

"The second team are still in my thoughts if they make a good offer and that, I think, will happen in the next few days," he said.

Sionko was expected to be new Gers boss Paul Le Guen's first signing at the club, but with French teams Strasbourg and Monaco being linked with the player, it seems the saga is far from over. Source - Sky Sports

3 May 2006

Austria Vienna midfielder Libor Sionko is believed to have set his heart on a move to Rangers, despite a fresh link with Monaco emerging.

The Czech Republic international, who is available on a Bosman transfer, has impressed for Vienna this season and attracted the attention of numerous clubs across the continent.

A summer move to Rangers has been mentioned, and Sionko has previously expressed his desire to join the Glasgow outfit.

However, reports emanating from France suggest that Monaco are on the brink of capturing his signature.

The 29-year-old's agent Pavel Zika has dismissed the Monaco speculation though, reiterating that Rangers remains Sionko's first choice.

"We don't know about Monaco," said Zika. "From France, only Strasbourg have been interested.

"However, Libor prefers the offer from Rangers." Source - Sky Sports

29 April 2006

CZECH star Libor Sionko has told Rangers he can be their very own Lubo Moravcik.

Austria Vienna midfielder Sionko insists he has already been approached to become part of Paul Le Guen's Ibrox revolution this summer.

The 29-year-old's name features prominently on the list of 20 players Le Guen has asked Gers chairman David Murray to target for next season. The former Sparta Prague playmaker, who plays on the right-hand side of midfield, is available on a Bosman.

He admits he is ready to jump at a move to the SPL and is confident he can follow in the footsteps of Moravcik and countryman Rudi Skacel at Hearts.

Sionko said: "I'd like a move to Rangers, I'd accept this offer 100 per cent. It would be a challenge for me and Ihope it would work out fine. I would be glad to go to Scotland and I think we can reach an agreement.

"I'm not afraid of Scottish football. Lubo Moravcik was a similar player to meand achieved big things at Celtic.

"It's the same story with Rudi Skacel and there are other Czech players at Hearts scoring lots of goals. I would look forward to a move to Scotland."

Agent Pavel Zika, who also represents Skacel, claims talks are already well underway and said: "Rangers are unusually keen on Libor. We are negotiating about a transfer.

"However, they are not the only club interested in signing him. Libor has an advantage in that his contract expires at the end of the season and so he is available free of charge." Source - Daily Record