ONE of the best players ever to wear an Oxford United shirt says he'd love to return to manage the club.

Ray Houghton, the midfielder who scored one of the Wembley goals when United won the Milk Cup in 1986 and who went on to have a glittering career with Liverpool, Aston Villa and the Republic of Ireland, says he'd definitely be interested - and he's available.

"I'd like to get into management and it would be easy for me to come to Oxford because, although I'm playing for Stevenage, and doing some coaching there, it's on a non-contract basis and on the understanding that they would let me go if the right job came along for me," he said.

The 37-year-old Glaswegian was arguably the best midfield runner and passer Oxford United have ever had.

He played 83 league games for them, scoring ten goals, before an £825,000 move to Anfield, and then went on to play nearly 200 times for Liverpool. And Houghton reckons that playing under some of the most famous bosses around will stand him in good stead.

"I've played under world-renowned managers like Kenny Dalglish and Jack Charlton," he said. He might also have added the names of John Lyall, Jim Smith, Graeme Souness and Ron Atkinson.

"I've played at the top flight, internationally, and I've also played at different levels in the Football League and now in the Vauxhall Conference, so I've got a good cross-section of football experience."

Houghton was player-coach in his first year at Reading and has got a UEFA B coaching licence. And he has his mind set on moving into football management.

"I still hold Oxford close to my heart," he said. "I won my first medal there and had some great times.

"I'd like to know who I'd be up against but if they are looking for someone, and haven't got someone already lined up, then I would apply.

"I have my sights on being a manager - I'm just waiting for the right opportunity."

The fact that he's not tied to a contract, which means there would be no compensation payable, will be to his advantage. The former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence, who has been part of the England set-up in recent years, is also understood to be in the running for the Manor Ground post left vacant by Malcolm Shotton's resignation on Monday.

Clemence formerly managed Barnet, where United director Fenton Higgins was involved.

Meanwhile, Shotton reiterated his decision not to speak about his resignation. "I just cannot make any comment," he said last night.

UNITED'S telephone system at the Manor was out of order all of yesterday. An engineer was due to look at the problem this morning.

Story date: Thursday 28 October

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