Ex-Rangers No2 Alex Rae lands job alongside Celtic star after Ibrox exit and plans to repay 30-year debt to his new club
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ALEX RAE'S back in football as Partick Thistle No2 — and looking to repay a 30-year debt to the club.
Three and a half months after leaving Rangers following Philippe Clement's sacking, the hugely experienced coach is excited about working with close pal and new Jags boss Mark Wilson for the first time in football.
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Alex Rae left Rangers in February
Credit: Willie Vass
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Alex Rae and Mark Wilson are teaming up again.
Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow
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Alex Rae was also assistant to Paul Ince at Reading
Credit: PA
Ex-Gers midfielder Rae - almost 40-years as player and coach - didn't hesitate to accept former Celtic star Wilson's invitation to return to the game after his sharp February exit.
And he revealed to SunSport that he's had a 'soft spot' for the Jags since past manager Murdo MacLeod, in charge between 1995-97, granted him training facilities at Firhill at a time of need.
The 55-year-old said: 'Mark contacted me a few weeks ago and asked me for my thoughts.
'I've known him for the best part of 10, 11 years. We've always had a good relationship and I've got a lot of time for him.
'I like the way he goes about things, he's straight-laced, he does things right.
'We started up a charity team which raised a lot of money and through that we got to know each other a lot better.
'So when he got in touch and asked if I'd like to come on board with him I told Mark I'd be delighted.
'Over the last 19-years since I gave up playing, I've took on a lot of challenges.
'Thistle's the exact same, I'm going to enjoy getting my teeth into it. I'll give it my best shot and we'll see where it takes us.
'Me and Mark haven't worked together at a club before.
'We were obviously together at Radio Clyde for many years.
Alex Rae reveals hostile training welcome after flying back late from Rangers v Celtic
'But in terms of the football side, I've been down south doing bits and bobs and had a few jobs up here too.
'I'm very experienced now, it's 19 years since I took my first managerial job at Dundee.
'I've had a great variation of different roles at different levels in different countries.
'Now I go into Thistle and I hope I can help Mark.
'As players, we were both whole-hearted guys.
'What you see with Mark is what you get — he'll put his heart and soul into the job while I'll also give everything I've got.
'Hopefully that transfers through to the players.
'Hopefully, we'll also get a bit of support from everybody else; the backroom staff and obviously the folk above.
'If we get that then we'll have a fighting chance to be competitive on the park.
'It's actually a club I've had a soft spot for a long time.
'When I went to Sunderland I was serving a four-match ban. I needed somewhere to train.
'So I asked my old pal Davie Farrell to ask Murdo MacLeod, the Thistle gaffer at the time, if he'd let me come in for a few training sessions.
'Murdo was kind enough to let me come in and work with the boys.
'I loved Murdo as a player and I've always appreciated his gesture from back then.
'I've got to know him well and he's a lovely man.
'So, it's nice all these years on that I've now got the chance to do my bit for Thistle.'
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Rae won the title with Rangers in 2005
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Ex-Dundee and St Mirren boss Rae starred in the Premier League with Wolves and won the title with Rangers in 2005.
The UEFA pro-licence holder's also coached at MK Dons, Notts County, Blackpool, Genk and Reading.
And Rae - also a playing hero at Falkirk, Millwall and Sunderland - added: 'I've only just had one day's training with the players.
'But I'm excited.
'I'm here to support Mark and I've got no qualms about that at all.
'I know the potential of Partick Thistle — and I'd love to enjoy success with Mark here.'
Thistle boss Wilson, meanwhile, has signed keeper Lewis Budinauckas on a one year deal with an option of a further 12-months.
The 23-year-old played for the Jags eight times last season on loan from Rangers, keeping four clean sheets.
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