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ALEX RAE

Alex Rae: started out at boyhood heroes Rangers but was released by manager Graeme Souness without featuring in the first-team.

He rebuilt his reputation at Falkirk which won him a £100,000 move to Millwall in 1990.

After six years he moved to Sunderland in a £1m deal and helped Peter Reid's men win promotion to the Premiership in 1999.

In 2001 he moved back to the Championship with Wolves for £1.2m and helped them win promotion via the play-offs two years later.

Rae finally got the chance to play for Rangers when Alex McLeish signed him in 2004 and he helped the Ibrox men snatch the title in spectacular style in his first season.

He then headed to Dundee where he took on the role of player-managed for two seasons before spells as assistant manager at MK Dons and Notts County.

Here he reflects on his colourful career in football.

What's your earliest recollection of playing football?

Playing in the streets near our home in the east end of Glasgow with my dad.
That's the way all kids seemed to start out back then but sadly you see less and less of it now.

What was your first boys club / school team and what position did you play?

The first organised team I played for was my primary school Golf Hill.
I then joined Ipswich Town Boys Club aged 10.

Who were your boyhood heroes and why did you idolise them?

Maradona is without doubt the best footballer I'd ever seen. He was a total genius. It's a great debate that every football fan enjoys but to me he's still out there on his own.

Did any member of your family or friend prove inspirational or particularly helpful as you tried to make it?

My dad was big influence He was good footballer himself and spent so much time improving me. Not every young player has someone like that to help them so I was fortunate.

How old were you when you were first scouted by a professional club and how did this happen?

I was 13 and playing for Eastercraigs Boys Club at the time. I was invited to train two nights a week at Celtic at Helenvale with Bobby Lennox and Jimmy Johnstone. Despite my Rangers' allegiances I didn't hesitate for a second.

Did you always feel you could make the grade?

You hope you can make the grade there was always a doubt. There are so many boys with all the talent in the world but for one reason or another they don't get picked up.

When did you sign your first pro contract? Did you have any other options?

My first pro club was Rangers and I'd just completed pre-season for Dundee. Unfortunately it didn't work out for me first time around at Ibrox and I was let go.

Where and when did you make your debut? How did it go?

My debut was for Falkirk v Dunfermline it finished 0-0. I lasted a hour before being subbed. Thankfully better games lay ahead for me.

What was the highlight of your career?

Winning the title 2005 with Rangers. No one gave us a chance going to Easter Road that day. It seemed unthinkable that Celtic would slip up at Motherwell to let us back in. Just shows you how unpredictable the game can be.

And the low point?

Being relegated with Millwall 1996. A truly horrible feeling. I don't think you ever really get over it.

How important is it that players look after themselves away from the training ground these days?

Pace and physicality have never been more important in the game. So it's vital to give yourself every chance and take care of your body at all times.

What's the best piece of advice you were given and who gave you it?

As he was giving me the news I was being released by Rangers in the mid-80s, Walter Smith told me "know matter what you do in life you've got to put in the spade work be it a builder or a footballer "

What advice do you have for any young player looking to make it as a pro?

Give it your best shot don't have any regrets. It's a short career but the rewards are potentially fantastic.

If you could change one thing about football, what would it be?

The introduction of goal line technology. It's actually improved tennis, cricket and rugby. It just seems logical to me.