Cottee decides to retire

Tony Cottee, the much-travelled striker, has announced his retirement after an 18-year career. The 36-year-old, best known for his spells at West Ham and Everton, appeared in the Premiership and all three divisions of the Nationwide League last season, for Leicester, Norwich, Millwall and Barnet.

Cottee, though, endured a nightmare spell as player-manager at Barnet, taking the Bees to the brink of relegation before leaving Underhill and ending his playing career at Millwall. He aims to stay in touch with the game through media work and says his unhappy managerial experience has not put him off a return to coaching or management at some stage.

"I'd be available if it was the right offer," he said. "With my West Ham connections and love of the club, I've always made it clear that I'd never turn them down if they wanted me again."

Cottee, who was capped seven times by England, had three playing offers from Nationwide League clubs, two from the Nationwide Conference and other opportunities in South Africa and Australia. But he said that he decided to retire after a game for Millwall late last season.

"I came on as a sub, played only four minutes and, with my only two touches of the ball, gave it away," he said. "I always said that I didn't want anyone to say: 'Oh look, there's Tony Cottee. He used to be a good player'."

There were reports yesterday that Stan Collymore is considering coming out of retirement to join Wolves. Collymore, 30, retired in March after a brief spells Real Oviedo, Leicester and Bradford last season.

Michael Mols ended a five-month injury lay-off with a knee injury with a substitute appearance during Rangers's 1-1 draw against the Danish champions FC Copenhagen yesterday. Dick Advocaat, the Rangers manager, said: "He is not really ahead of schedule. He showed some of his qualities, but he played just 20 minutes. We have to give him more time, but for him it was a good feeling to get back on the pitch again."