LURE OF COYLE IS KEY TO EAGLES LANDING

FORMER Manchester United winger Chris Eagles insists the lure of proving himself all over again under Owen Coyle was simply too great to resist. The pair have been reunited for a third time after the Ross County boss made the 31-year-old his first signing at Dingwall. Eagles, who joined United at 13 and made seven appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson, went on to help Coyle’s Burnley win promotion to the top flight. Following a second fruitful spell under the same manager at Bolton, his career lost momentum with periods at Blackpool, Charlton, Bury and Accrington Stanley. Now, after enjoying a revival of form in the second half of last season at Port Vale, he wants to reignite the spark that made him a favourite of Coyle’s. Eagles, who has signed until next June after a move to Abu Dhabi fell through, said: ‘I only played for four months at Port Vale, but I loved it. When it came to an end in the summer, we had another daughter and I decided to look abroad. ‘Everyone knows the money side in Abu Dhabi and, because I’ve been at Manchester United, it opened up opportunities but we couldn’t agree on personal terms. ‘Leaving it so late, my options weren’t the best. I’d kept in contact with the gaffer here since he left Bolton. I spoke to him, came up and absolutely loved it. ‘I’m back playing with a manager I love and I know (assistant manager) Sandy Stewart very well, too. ‘I’d have signed whatever they offered me. The gaffer has always made me feel welcome. He’s now signed me three times and even when he was at Blackburn we were speaking then about a move. I think I play my best football under him.’ Eagles (left) knows he’s been written off by some, including recent managers, but is determined to prove them wrong. ‘The last couple of years have been frustrating. It has been managers who haven’t understood me,’ he said. ‘Now I am over 30, people think that is that — but age is just a number. Touch wood, I’ve never had a serious injury. ‘I just think people like to find excuses and what I love doing is proving people wrong. That’s the best way to shut people up.’ Coyle has challenged Eagles to show he can still cut it at the highest level. ‘This is an opportunity to get his career back on track,’ said the County manager. ‘I saw him last year at Port Vale and he still looked a fantastic player. If he has the same fire in his belly, we know he has the ability. Subject to international clearance, he’ll travel with the squad for the game at Hearts.’