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Hard-working, tough-tackling midfielder Gavin Rae will be a name and player fondly remembered by supporters of Cardiff City.
The defender played for the Bluebirds between 2007 and 2011 helping lay down the foundations for their future success, which would see them gain promotion to the Premier League a couple of years after his departure.
Zak Armitage was fortunate enough to catch up with Rae recently who was more than happy to open up on some of the experiences he had in his career.
Rae first reflected on his first spell with Dundee FC, with whom he spent the opening eight years of his professional career between 1996 and 2004.
“Dundee was great. Coming through the YTS (Youth Training Scheme) there and being able to turn pro and play so many games was a brilliant feeling.”
Rae subsequently moved to Ibrox to sign for Rangers and he explained about the pressures of playing at a team of their stature.
“Rangers is a huge club and it was big step up.
“I settled in fine but I had some tough times with injuries throughout my time there really. Which was disappointing but that’s football. I wouldn’t change anything.”
Next up was a move to Cardiff City in 2007, with Rae still remembered fondly in south Wales.
“After Rangers I was keen to try a league away from Scotland after being there my whole career up to that point.
“I had a couple of options down south but Cardiff went all out to make sure I went there and made me feel wanted.
“I loved it there and we had relative success but without managing to fully realise our potential. (We were) always challenging and getting play-offs but never promoted.”
“I wasn’t sure what would happen after my four years in Cardiff. Whether I would stay in the English leagues or return home. I didn’t get any offers I was keen on, but then my mate Barry Smith (who was the manager of Dundee at this point) contacted me so I decided to go and play there which was brilliant.”
“My wife is Australian and our plan was always to emigrate once I finished playing professionally. My brother-in-law was head coach at Hakoah and he asked me to continue playing part time which made sense and I enjoyed that.”
“Playing for my national team will always remain the pinnacle for me. To be able to say I played for them is a huge honour and achievement.”
