Ex-Celtic striker John Hartson comes across very petty in a sarcastic message to former Rangers rival Alex Rae after the ex-midfielder took an assistant manager’s job at Reading.
Not exactly famed for his razor-sharp wit – quite the opposite in fact – Hartson took to Twitter to take a pretty needless swipe at Alex Rae’s short but memorable stint at Rangers.
We’re not sure if he’s being serious or just joking with Rae but it certainly comes across a little bitter from a man who – as far as we’re aware – has never worked in the coaching side of the game.
Ex-St Mirren and Dundee boss Rae is back in coaching working under Paul Ince at Reading, whom he was worked with extensively at the likes of Blackpool and Notts County.
John Hartson takes petty Alex Rae swipe
Alex Rae spent one full season at Rangers during the 04/05 season – where Hartson was still playing for Celtic – and we all remember exactly how that campaign ended.
A midfielder more prominent for his time at Millwall, Sunderland and Wolves south of the border, Alex Rae was signed by Alex McLeish and played a big role in winning the league title and a League Cup for Rangers.
Rangers won the title on the final day of the season, Celtic’s late capitulation at Motherwell and the Gers’ victory over Hibs seeing the Helicopter change direction and head to Easter Road.
It’s a moment that has left that generation of Celtic players sick ever since and we’re glad they’re still spewing on social media and beyond.
Whilst Alex Rae might not have had the dynasty of other Rangers players of the past – and some do not like his punditry – it’s all pretty needless and we wish him all the best at Reading.
His time as managerial assistant to Paul Ince with the Royals kicked off this week too and got off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City.
The result leaves Reading 21st in the Championship and Rae’s task at the Madejski Stadium is to help retain Reading’s status in the English second tier.
Meanwhile, a BBC journalist has criticised calls from the tabloid media to see a Rangers midfielder retrospectively banned.
