Mark Hateley took over the reins at Hull City yesterday and declared: ''I'm going to take them to the top!'' The former England international striker turned down offers from Scotland and abroad to become player-manager of the Booth-ferry Park side.

Hateley, released by Rangers at the end of last season, was unveiled at a news conference. He said: ''I want to take the club to the top and play against the best teams in the country.

''I had a number of offers but this was what I wanted to do. I'm not getting any younger so getting into the coaching side is great and it allows me to play when I want and take a step back to look at things.''

Hateley's assistant is former Ibrox youth team coach and Dundee United manager Billy Kirkwood, who gave up a coaching job at Hong Kong club Instant to join him at Hull.

qFrench internationalist David Ginola completed his #2m move from Newcastle United to Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.