Gavin Rae: Bluebirds got me over blues

Jun 1 2008 By Gordon Waddell

GAVIN RAE played more games in his first six months at Cardiff City than he managed in three and a half years at Rangers.

But he still doesn't regret chasing the dream.

The Scotland midfielder can sit back for the summer, satisfied he shaped up superbly in English football after a stunning season with the Welsh outfit.

And after putting in an impressive 55-game shift that led all the way to the FA Cup Final, Rae achieved exactly what he set out to do - play the game. The 30-year-old knew he had to end a frustrating stint at Ibrox last summer after injuries and competition for places meant he made just 39 appearances under three different bosses.

But Gavin took the pause button off and saw his career fast forward straight back into the Scotland squad.

He admitted: "For me it was all about getting games. I did not like training every week then not having minutes on the pitch.

"I've played nearly every game here and it has been a good first season, much more enjoyable than the last few.

"I'd still always have gone to Rangers, though - you don't turn down that chance.

"It was the right decision at the time, it just didn't work out the way I'd have liked it to."

However, Rae has no regrets - not when you wind up your season by walking out in front of 90,000 fans at the stunning new Wembley.

His only disappointment came after watching the re-run of City's narrow 1-0 defeat to Premier League side Portsmouth and wondering what might have been.

Gav said: "The whole experience was great but I saw the game I'm delighted to be here. It's a tough league and whoever gets out of it has done well.

"What has let us down is not having an out and out striker who scores often but I'm sure the manager will look at that.

"People expected West Brom to go up but Hull and Stoke have good squads too.

"Hopefully we can be up there next season."

Rae has been joined in the Tartan ranks by ex-Rangers team-mate Stevie Thompson and Kevin McNaughton.

The full-back in particular has shone and is now free from the stigma of Berti Vogts (left) who branded him too nervous to play international football.

The former Aberdeen man was Cardiff's stand-out at Wembley, keeping Croatian star Niko Kranjcar at bay.

Rae said: "Kevin has been outstanding. It was harsh what happened to him. It hurt him a bit because he'd done well to get into that squad.

"This season he has been so consistent and positive at right back getting forward. He has the engine and pace to do that.

"Kev was our best player in the final and that proves he can handle big games.

"We're a team that likes to play football, it has worked in parts so hopefully we can do it more consistently."