Alex Rae Rangers exit floated as Michael Beale Sunderland manager replacement after years out

Alex Rae has been mentioned in Sunderland circles as a potential replacement for Michael Beale.

Beale was dismissed by the Black Cats back in February with Mike Dodds currently running the show as interim boss until they can find a new full-time manager. The club sit 13th in the Championship this term after some disastrous form under Beale and since. A number of names have been floated by pundits in recent weeks but it's the Rangers link with Rae that has turned heads down south.

The Ibrox first-team coach has not been a boss in his own right since leaving St Mirren all the way back in 2016 but he's been in and around the Gers alongside Philippe Clement and his staff since the Belgian arrived.

That has kept him in the minds of some in England and former Celtic and Sunderland player Michael Gray has revealed he'd heard Rae's name mentioned where the role is concerned.

"[The season] has just not been good at all," Gray told Ally McCoist on talkSPORT. "I think they [Sunderland] had everyone back onside with Tony Mowbray which had been a bit of a problem for them. When he left and they tried to bring in the right guy - it didn't work out for Michael Beale - I think you'll know a little bit about him Coisty.

"It just didn't happen for him, he wasn't the right fit - Mike Dodds is in there until the end of the season.

"But I tell you who got a mention the other day was Alex Rae, who is working at Rangers right now."

McCoist added: "He was with Paul Ince down at Reading as well so, you're right to say he's in with Philippe Clement at Rangers just now.

"I'm with you - Sunderland need to look for a fresh, young, dynamic - preferably I think British - coach who could maybe grab that club and move it forward."