Alious Alex Rae Reflects on His Time at Rangers and Philippe Clement’s Challenges
Alex Rae didn’t hesitate when the call came to return to Rangers, stepping in even before Philippe Clement’s official appointment as manager. A lifelong Rangers supporter and former midfielder, Rae was part of Steven Davis’ interim coaching team after Michael Beale’s departure. When Clement took over, Rae remained at Ibrox as his assistant, offering homegrown expertise until the Belgian’s dismissal in February.
Now speaking for the first time since leaving the club, Rae has praised Clement’s dedication, describing him as the “first in and last out” at the training ground. However, he also shared insights into why things unraveled for the former Rangers boss, as Barry Ferguson now takes charge.
Rae’s Sympathy for Clement’s Difficult Situation
According to Rae, Clement faced an uphill battle from the start, inheriting a Rangers squad undergoing massive transition. The club made sweeping changes in the summer, offloading several experienced players either at the end of their contracts or as part of a strategy to lower the wage bill.
To replace them, Rangers brought in younger talent with an eye on future player trading, trimming £6 million in wages in the process. While this was a necessary move financially, it also stripped the squad of valuable experience—something Rae believes worked against Clement.
“I have huge respect for Philippe,” Rae told *GO Radio*. “He’s a great guy. But he arrived at a time of major transition. Players like Connor Goldson, John Lundstram, and Borna Barisic were either leaving or nearing the end of their time, along with guys like Kemar Roofe—players who helped get the club to Seville and win the league.”
Rae acknowledged that Rangers were trying to follow a model similar to Celtic’s, focusing on developing younger players. However, he feels they went too far in their overhaul, removing too much experience from the squad.
“You need balance,” Rae explained. “I think they took out too much experience all at once. That being said, the wage bill needed to be reduced significantly, so change was necessary.”
Expectations for the US Takeover and Future Signings
Rae’s departure from Rangers coincides with the club’s impending takeover by a US-based consortium, led by 49ers Enterprises and businessman Andrew Cavanagh. The deal is expected to be finalized by the end of May, and Rae believes the new owners will prioritize adding experience to the squad.
Looking at recent signings such as Jefte, Mohamed Diomande, and Hamza Igamane, Rae acknowledged that these young players have potential but still need time to adapt to Scottish football. He pointed out that Rangers’ past success was built on a squad featuring players in their mid-to-late 20s who could handle the demands of challenging away fixtures.
“They’ve brought in some talented players, but you can’t expect them to be 9/10 performers every week straight away,” Rae said. “Back when I joined in 2004, we had experienced guys who knew how to grind out results at places like Pittodrie, Easter Road, and Tynecastle.”
For Rangers to be truly competitive, Rae believes the club must blend youth with experienced leaders who can guide the team through tough matches. If the takeover goes through, he expects the new investors to make key signings that will complement the young core.
“They need time, but they also need support,” Rae concluded. “If this takeover happens, I’d expect to see a few experienced additions to help the young guys reach their potential.”
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