Former Rangers coach Alex Rae has returned to Scottish football, joining forces with ex-Celtic defender Mark Wilson at Partick Thistle. The pair are now in charge at Firhill, with Wilson taking on the head coach role and Rae coming in as his assistant.
The new setup puts a former Celt and a former Ranger in the same dugout, working together for the first time.
Rangers’ Vladimir Weiss in action with Celtic’s Mark Wilson (R)
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Andrew Boyers
Livepic
Rae’s links to Rangers and Wilson’s Celtic background give the Firhill setup a different look, especially for supporters who remember them lining up on opposite sides of Glasgow.
Rae returns to football just three months after leaving Ibrox, where he exited following the changes that came after Philippe Clement’s departure. Despite his Rangers past, he had no second thoughts when Wilson, his close pal and now Thistle boss, got in touch.
Rangers’ Vladimir Weiss (L) and Celtic’s Mark Wilson in action
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee Smith
Wilson, a regular at right-back under Gordon Strachan at Celtic, was handed the Thistle job full-time in May after a strong spell in interim charge. The club has backed him with a new setup, giving him charge of the first team while Ian Baraclough takes care of signings and contracts.
Though Rae and Wilson have worked together in media and charity games, this is their first time coaching side by side.
