Jermain Defoe in Rangers return confession as he sets out managerial vision with 'not afraid to fail' verdict

Jermain Defoe has issued a come and interview me plea to Oxford United over their managerial vacancy - but the big goal would be manging one of his former clubs.

There's a Rangers theme emerging in the links surrounding the English League One club, who recently sacked long-serving boss Karl Robinson. Grant McCann is one name linked after a recent interview with Motherwell before they appointed Stuart Kettlewell, but another mentioned is Graeme Murty.

He is now a youth coach with Sunderland but is known in Glasgow for his work in a similar capacity at Ibrox, on top of stints as interim manager. He said earlier this week that 'nothing in the press has come from me and to 'make of that as you will,' but didn't fully rule out a senior management position in football amid enjoying work with youngsters. Now former striker Defoe, speaking on his BBC Podcast series Outside the Box, also wants in that arena and would like an interview with Oxford. He previously worked as a player-coach under Steven Gerrard during his two year spell at Rangers and currently is developing aspiring professionals at Tottenham.

The former striker said: “Obviously it’s early because I’ve not managed. I don’t think I would force it because I want to be ready, I don’t want to go into a situation where I’m not ready.

“I want to be fully prepared so I wouldn’t force it. But at the same time, if I got a phone call then I’m not going to be one of those people who’s in a comfort zone.

“I don’t mind going outside my comfort zone and throwing myself into the deep end because at the end of the day, it’s that competitive side of me. I’ve always been like that anyway.

“I don’t think you can be afraid to fail, I think you have to set your sights high but if