Velicka has endured a tough time since moving to Ibrox

Striker Andrius Velicka has his sights set on playing in the Champions League with Rangers after almost 12 months out with a cruciate knee injury.

The Lithuanian, 31, received the injury minutes into his debut while on loan at Bristol City in August last year.

"The last year's been very difficult," Velicka told the Rangers website.

"I'm hoping I get the chance to play some more games in the Champions League this season but, more importantly, I just want play."

Velicka, who also spent two seasons at Hearts, joined Rangers from Norwegian side Viking FK in June 2008 for around £1m.

However, prior to going to England on loan he had only managed eight appearances for the Glasgow club as he fell out of favour.

The fans have not seen the best of me so this will be a big year Andrius Velicka

Yet, in those eight appearances he did manage to score four times, and he is looking to show even better form in the season ahead.

"I just can't wait for pre-season to begin. I hope my best form is in the future," said the striker, who has a year remaining on his Ibrox contract.

"This season is a big one for the club and there is still a lot I want to achieve at Rangers.

"The fans have not seen the best of me so this will be a big year."

The Lithuanian required two operations to repair the damage to his knee.

He is well aware that after such an extended period on the sidelines lots of hard work lies ahead in order to get back to match fitness.

"The doctor said to me last week it will take time for me to rebuild my fitness and form.

"I can't expect to come back to the game just like that, because I've been out for a year and I need games."

Velicka's recovery has come at the right time for manager Walter Smith, whose top scorer Kris Boyd has informed him that he will leave the club this summer under freedom of contract.

Fellow forward Nacho Novo has departed Ibrox for Sporting Gijon in Spain after his contract expired, while American DaMarcus Beasley has been allowed to leave.

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