Great to be back with Scots, says City star Rae

Mar 25 2008 by Terry Phillips, South Wales Echo

CARDIFF City’s Gavin Rae is back in the Scotland squad – after an absence of two years.

“I thought I might never be selected again,” admitted Rae, who is in Scotland’s party for new manager George Burley’s first match in charge.

The Scots take on Croatia in a friendly international at Hampden Park tomorrow and Rae linked up with the squad last night.

“It’s been two years since I played for Scotland and it’s great just to be involved again,” said Rae, who made his debut against Poland during 2001 and has 11 senior international caps.

“I wasn’t sure if I would ever play for my country again.

“There was no way anybody could complain during the last campaign because the Scottish team was flying high, but maybe, but now there is a new manager in George Burley and he has given me a chance.”

Rae, 30, is a box-to-box, high energy central midfield player who played his part in Cardiff City’s 2-1 Coca-Cola Championship win against Bristol City last weekend.

“I’m pleased with my form for Cardiff City this season, but there’s more to come,” said Rae.

“We have such a lot to play for over the rest of this season – we still believe there is a genuine chance of making the play-offs – and the call to play for Scotland is another boost.

“The big thing for me is to score more goals.

“I have three for Cardiff City, but I badly want to add to that tally.

Aberdeen-born Rae has played for Dundee, Rangers and Cardiff City during a career which has seen him make well over 300 first team matches – and score 32 goals.

While Rae prepares for the against Croatia, Cardiff City team-mate Warren Feeney is in Northern Ireland’s squad for their international against Georgia in Belfast.

Feeney, 27, has scored three goals in 23 appearances for Northern Ireland.

But Joe Ledley has withdrawn from the Wales team to play Luxembourg away tomorrow evening, while Bluebirds right-back Darcy Blake is out of the Wales Under-21 squad travelling to play Bosnia-Herzegovina in a Uefa Championship clash in Sarajevo tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Both Ledley and Blake are out with groin strains, but it is hoped both will be fit to play in Cardiff City’s Championship home match against Southampton at Ninian Park on Saturday.

terry.phillips@mediawales.co.uk