Le Guen Did Me Up Like Skipper

Apr 6 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

GAVIN RAE felt he was "hung out to dry" at Ibrox when flop French boss Paul Le Guen made him captain.

So the Scotland star takes far more pride in being handed the armband at Cardiff - because it feels merited.

That wasn't the case at Gers when Le Guen dumped fans' favourite Barry Ferguson, stripped him of the captaincy and made bit-part player Rae his new leader.

Just weeks later the Frenchman left Glasgow, leaving Rae to take the flak from supporters.

The Cardiff vice-captain hasn't forgiven Le Guen and as he gears up for today's FA Cup semi-final with Barnsley at Wembley, he said: "My memory is of anger towards Le Guen over the way he did it.

"He hung me out to dry and it was disappointing because he left a few days later. He didn't say anything to me and hasn't spoken to me since.

"Paul did it knowing how much stick both he and I were going to take. Then for him not to say anything in the next few days was frustrating.

"At the time I didn't realise how big a deal it was but looking back Le Guen was ridiculous.

"He must have had an inkling he was going to be sacked a few days later. I got heavily criticised for no reason and Barry was soon back as skipper.

"It was a strange period because I went from not playing to being team leader but I was never going to turn it down.

"I've captained Cardiff a few times and feel more worthy of it because I've played every game. I take much more pride in it."