ON-LOAN defender Zurab Khizanishvili has hinted he's ready to turn his back on Rangers and sign for Blackburn Rovers in the summer.

The Georgian international, who was snapped up by manager Mark Hughes on a season-long loan in August, admits he is loving life with Rovers in the Premiership, even though it has stopped him from being part of Rangers' march to the last 16 of the Champions League.

Khizanishvili watched the Gers become the first team in Scottish football history to reach the knock-out stages of Europe's premier cup competition when they secured a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan earlier this week.

It was a stunning achievement by Alex McLeish's unfancied Glasgow giants but, although Khizanishvili was delighted for everyone connected with the club, he insists he does not feel any tinge of regret about his decision to quit Ibrox for Rovers to pursue his dream of playing in the Premiership.

"I'm happy with how things have worked out," said Khizanishvili, who watched Tuesday night's tie on TV from the comfort of his Clitheroe home.

"Of course, I was supporting Rangers because they are my team, I have a contract with them, they are my team-mates and, to be honest, I'm really happy for them.

"It's a big achievement for Rangers and for Scottish football and I hope they do well in the next round.

"But I'm not sorry that I've come to Blackburn. I've played in the Champions League, I've played in the Scottish Premier, but I wanted to play in the Premier League, which is why I came here."

Rovers have yet to open talks with Khizanishvili about the possibility of making his switch to Ewood a more permanent arrangement in the summer.

However, Hughes recently went on record saying that is something he may wish to pursue after being impressed by the speed with which his Georgian import has adapted to the demands of the Premiership.

"That's up to Blackburn and the managers of both clubs," said Khizanishvili, in response to a question about his future.

"If you ask me, I'm happy here and I'm enjoying my stay here so if the club asked me to stay then I'd definitely think about it."

For the time being, though, Khizanishvili is more concerned about the challenge of trying to establish Rovers as a top half Premiership force.

Recent form would suggest Hughes' side are more than capable of mounting a charge for a top 10 spot, although they did suffer a set-back last week at the hands of Everton, who escaped from Ewood with a 2-0 win, thanks, in no small part, to the controversial dismissal of Andy Todd.

Todd's sending off means the door is open for Khizanishvili to return to the starting line-up in place of the suspended skipper for tomorrow's clash with West Ham.

But the versatile stopper, who prefers to be known as Zura rather than Zurab, still has sympathy for Todd, particularly as he was also dismissed by referee Mark Halsey in similar controversial circumstances at Anfield earlier in the season.

"I think it happened at almost the same time in the game," said Khizanishvili.

"I felt sorry for Andy, not because he's my team-mate or a Blackburn player, but because it was the wrong decision.

"Maybe that referee just doesn't like Blackburn.

"When I saw him hold up the red card the first thing I said to the guys on the bench was 'do you remember this referee against Liverpool?'

"Unbelievable."

Last week's reverse against Everton means it's even more important that Rovers beat the Hammers tomorrow.

When the teams met earlier in the season, veteran striker Teddy Sheringham inspired the Londoners to a 3-1 win, but this time Khizanishvili is fired up to ensure there's no repeat of that scoreline.

He added: "Teddy Sheringham is a good player but, to be honest, I'm really happy to play against people like him, Owen, Shearer and Van Nistelrooy because they are some of the best strikers in the world.