WHILE conjecture rages on over the frantic nature of Rangers' season run-in, perhaps onlookers should spare a thought for Robbie Raeside.
Arbroath's players joke that Raeside commands three separate salaries from the Gayfield Park club – a suggestion he vigorously denies, incidentally – but either way, he is without question one of the hardest workers in Scottish football. Raeside, w
ho will take his place at Stranraer this afternoon as a veteran centre-half, is also Arbroath's assistant manager and part-time physiotherapist.
"A pummel" is how the 35-year-old describes this campaign; but reward may just be around the corner with Arbroath 2-0 up on Stranraer ahead of today's Second/Third Division playoff final, second leg. For good measure, the amiable Fifer scored one of the goals of Wednesday night's first encounter.
"It has been very difficult," Raeside adds. "I've got a sports therapy qualification so have helped out on that side, but we've had a lot of injuries this season so it has been busy. And as assistant manager at Arbroath you have a hard job; players won't come here to become rich, we lost guys to Montrose for financial reasons not so long ago. It takes a lot of phone calls, meetings and persuasion to bring players in."
By day, Raeside works with children at a city council learning centre situated inside Dundee's Dens Park. A former player with the Dark Blues, he also carried out physiotherapy work at Dundee before joining John McGlynn's youth coaching staff at Raith Rovers, later moving to Angus in January 2006.
"I have my A Licence coaching badge and Youth Licence so that's the road I want to go down now," Raeside explained. "The physiotherapy has really taken a back seat, although it is useful to have a knowledge of certain things. Playing two games in a week can take its' toll on part-time players, they have less opportunity to recuperate, and I can relate to things like that.
"Rangers have a hectic time just now, but they are full-time players. They can rest between games. We don't have that luxury and haven't had it this week."
Arbroath's consistency under Raeside's partnership with John McGlashan, the manager, has been eye-catching. They only lost out on promotion via the play-offs in season 2005/6 and 2006/7; surely it is odds-on to be third time lucky given their two-goal advantage.
"We have to approach the Stranraer game like an ordinary league one," the veteran stressed. "We'll be positive and try to get a goal. Anything else, trying to pack the defence or play for a draw, would be dangerous."
Raeside readily admits he and McGlashan have been happy to "get our hands dirty" in Scottish football's bottom tier. "We have a lot of winners in our team and that has made a difference," the assistant manager said. "It is hard, you know, being near the top of the table consistently at any level and we are not the biggest spenders in the Third Division by any means.
"The experience has been invaluable for John and myself. And hopefully we now get a chance to work with Arbroath in a higher league."
There remains the live possibility, of course, that both today's game at Stair Park and the First/Second Division playoff final, second leg between Clyde and Airdrie will be rendered immaterial by the end of the month. Given Gretna's much-publicised plight, a rising school of thought suggests all finalists will be granted promotion, with an extra club allowed entry into the Third Division, should the Raydale Park outfit go bust.
"That scenario has not even been mentioned at Arbroath, honestly," insisted Raeside. "We are not interested in what's happening at Gretna and we don't want to be accused of gaining promotion by default. It is vital we prepare for our own game, that is the only message we have been drumming into the players."
Amid such fraught times, there have been humorous moments. After being barracked by a section of the East Fife support earlier this season, Raeside received an unlikely message of support from the Bayview club's chairman, Willie Gray, in a match programme.
"I've always had dogs abuse at East Fife. It comes with being an ex-Raith player and coming from that area," Raeside smiled. "I think Willie was just looking out for me, he was on the board at Raith when I was there and came on holiday with the players at the end of one season.
"I scored a goal against Stranraer after Willie's programme notes which helped East Fife secure the league. Maybe the fans will lay off me a bit now."
That would, after all, be at least one less thing to worry about.
The full article contains 812 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
