PORT VALE are eyeing Gareth Ainsworth as their new player-assistant boss.
Vale manager Micky Adams is considering a move for the 36-year-old, who enjoyed the first big move of his career when he was bought by the League Two club for a record £500,000 12 years ago.
Ainsworth (pictured) enjoyed two stints as caretaker boss at Rangers last season and admitted he's got a taste for life on the touchline.
He said: "As far as I know, I'm wanted as a player next season if Rangers want to keep me. But I had a great 13 months at Vale.
"And it's not for me to comment further - but of course I would like to be involved in coaching in the future."
Ainsworth was put in charge at Rangers when Iain Dowie was sacked in November and again when successor Paulo Sousa was shown the door in April.
The winger is not thought to be a part of new boss Jim Magilton's plans on the coaching staff - especially as the new manager has already brought in John Gorman as his number two.
Ainsworth, who at one time fronted a rock band playing gigs around Hammersmith pubs, has a year to go on his playing contract with Hoops. But he fondly remembers his playing days with Vale - and in particular a testimonial match when he was substituted at the same time as Vale fan Robbie Williams and hundreds of screaming girls rushed over to mob them.
Ainsworth joked: "This was when Robbie was at his height - but I've always figured the screams were really for me in anticipation of my career as the front man of my own band."
