Former Celtic keeper Rab Douglas is still going strong- and taking stick- at the age of 40.
Despite reported interest in Mark Bosnic Martin O’Neill went local in October 2000 when he spent £1m to sign Douglas from Dundee.
The relationship had it’s ups and downs with O’Neill also signing Magnus Hedman and Javier Broto but the manager abs keeper both left the club as Hampden winners following the 2005 Scottish Cup Final against Dundee United.
Douglas has spent the last four seasons back at Dundee and is looking to play on despite recently celebrating his 40th birthday.
“I’ve played in the Champions League and UEFA Cup and enjoyed victories over the likes of Ajax, Porto, Juventus, Stuttgart and Liverpool,” he told The Sun. “I’ve achieved that.
“But I’ve also won leagues with Livingston and Dundee plus the Challenge Cup. Those gave me just as much satisfaction.
“You will find players who have had 20 years in the game and got nowhere near that. Never won a thing. So I’m really proud of my career.
“I’ve achieved more than a lot of better goalies have. My record at Celtic, three titles and two Scottish Cups, isn’t bad for someone who’s branded a dud.
“I got 19 caps for Scotland. To stand at Hampden for the national anthem. To maybe beat Holland or draw with Germany.
“No matter what, nobody can take that away from me.”
Douglas is under no illusions about his ability but has shown a dedication to succeed that few players in the modern era could match.
Overlooked by clubs in his youth he started off as a junior at Lanark United before earning transfers to Livingston and Dundee.
His five seasons at Celtic were littered with highs and lows but eight years after leaving the club he’s still as dedicated as ever to play to his best.
“I’ve always reacted to losing a goal like it’s a personal insult,” he added. “I hate it, even in training.
“If the day comes when that changes I’ll know for definite it’s time to chuck it.
“I’m honest with myself. If I didn’t feel fit or up for games then I’d chuck it. I’m still loving being a goalie and I keep myself fit.
“I think I’m still in reasonable shape although opposition fans have started calling me a fat b*****d.
“I’ve also been blessed with having good goalie coaches throughout my career.
“I’ve had Murray McDermott, Tam McLaren, Roy Baines, Billy Thomson, Terry Gennoe, Alan Hodgkinson, Jim Stewart and Bobby Geddes. I’ve learned things from every one of them.
“Hopefully I’ve still got a few years left in me. I’m a free agent in the summer and who knows what will happen. I’ve had a brief chat with Barry Smith about Dundee. But that’s all.
“It’s funny, but right at the start I was once told I wasn’t good enough for Lanark United. I’ve done not bad since then, have I?”
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Big Rab was a better goalie than many fans gave him credit for. Sure, he made the odd gaff, but he wasn’t alone there. He kept us in a few games and I will always view him as a Celt, no matter what.
Big Rab was a smashing keeper he did make an odd mistake but who didnt. He was fantastic for us away to valencia kept the score to 1-0 when it should of been 5 or 6. I rem Celtic beating dundee 5-1 and if he wasnt in goals for dundee it would have been a cricket score for the hoops.
Well done Rab!
I always liked him as well. A fine shot stopper, albeit short in some other areas, but a genuinely nice, de ent and affable guy by all accounts. Long may he continue to enjoy the game as a player, and I’m sure he’ll always have a job somewhere in Scotland or elsewhere coaching given the level he’s played at.
Rab was a magician in the Houdini mould. He stands about 6 feet 5 and was able to reduce his size sufficient to squeeze into a crisp packet when 1 on 1!
Actually turned away from shot in Seville which cost us dear.
Average keeper at best who had a formidable front line protecting him!