New Rangers manager Philippe Clement has hinted at the permanent return of interim Ibrox coach and former Gers star Alex Rae.
Speaking to the press ahead of the clash with Hearts, the Rangers manager provided an update on the position of the 54-year-old former midfielder, who spent two years at Ibrox between 2004 and 2006.
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Appointed as part of Steven Davis’ interim management team, Philippe Clement has claimed there is every possibility that Alex Rae will be appointed to his coaching staff permanently.
It comes amid widespread reporting at the time of Clement’s appointment that the Belgian manager was to appoint a homegrown coach to his backroom staff.
“We’ve had good talks with the staff who are here about what our expectations are in every role,” said Clement.
It’s starting to become clear to me, the different profiles. They’re still on an interim basis right now and they know that. But Alex is someone who knows the history of the club really well. That’s an important thing for me, to have people on the staff who know the club and the people within it.
“Is it possible that he could stay on in the long term? If it wasn’t possible, he wouldn’t be here any more. It’s just like with players. We need to find a really good mix of people.”
Philippe Clement considering permanent Alex Rae Rangers role
It’s clear that Alex Rae is leaving a positive impression on Rangers manager Philippe Clement as the Ibrox side look to overturn a poor start to the season.
The former AS Monaco and Club Brugge manager has been appointed in order to find some stability in Glasgow and the signs are already positive as an apprehensive Rangers support refuse to get carried away.
Having seen three permanent managers come through the revolving door at Ibrox in the space of one year the club’s supporters will wait to see the club do any talking on and off the park.
With Philippe Clement taking his time to assess both the playing and non-playing staff, Alex Rae is certainly in consideration for a more permanent return to Glasgow’s southside.
The former Millwall, Sunderland and Wolves midfielder won a league title and a league cup during his time in Glasgow and is known to be a diehard blue nose.
Alex Rae also spent time in charge as manager of Dundee and St Mirren but the prominent pundit hasn’t had a top job since leaving St Mirren Park in 2016.
An ex-Rangers player coach isn’t going to be the only appointment following Philippe Clement into Rangers either, with two other key positions eyed.
The Belgian manager has already brought countryman and former international teammate Stephan van der Hayden into Ibrox.
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