Ally McCoist has announced that he wants to keep playing for at least another year but, as expected, it almost certainly will not be at Ibrox.
The Rangers striker said he has had talks with club chairman David Murray, who told him he would do all he could to help him find another club.
Speaking in Glasgow yesterday, McCoist also entered the debate over Paul Gascoigne, making it clear that he felt Glen Hoddle, the England coach, had made the wrong decision.
McCoist said he would ''never forget'' being left out of the Scotland squad for France.
Despite his intention to play on for another year, either here or abroad, McCoist conceded it would be difficult to return to Ibrox to play against Rangers. He said he had been offered an off- the-field role at Ibrox but felt his need to keep playing would make it impossible for him to accept.
The player said he had talked to his friends, Raith Rovers manager, Jimmy Nicholl, former England captain Terry Butcher, and English internationalist Ray Wilkins, as he worked out what he was going to do.
As to his future, McCoist said that he had not started talks with any club and was keeping his options open. Hibs have shown an interest and he said he would ''have no problems'' in playing under his friend Alex McLeish at the Easter Road club.
McCoist, who became the father of twins two days ago, said: ''I have made my mind up to play for another year but I must admit it had crossed my mind to chuck it. I don't know where I will be playing in the future, but I would like to know, certainly by the end of the World Cup.''
It had been suggested after the Scottish Cup final that McCoist may remain at Ibrox in some sort of coaching capacity. ''At this stage I wouldn't rule anything out,'' he said. ''However, the chances are I'll be on my way. It's understandable that a new manager would come in and bring in young players and have his own ideas.
''As for playing for other Scottish teams, it would be very, very difficult going back to Ibrox as a player for another team, bordering on the impossible.
''As for Hibs, Alex McLeish is a good friend and it's safe to say he is one of the guys I would have no problems playing for.''
McCoist said that wherever he ended up he would be able to focus his mind on the challenge ahead. ''My desire to play for another year over rides everything, the television stuff and everything else. Nothing compares to playing,'' he said.
qTalking a good game - Page 39
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