Neil Alexander
Encyclopedia
Neil Alexander is a Scottish
professional football
goalkeeper who is currently playing for Scottish Premier League
side Rangers
.
before moving to Livingston
in 1998, where he was part of the Scottish First Division
title-winning side of 2001. He made his Livingston debut on 3 October 1998 against Partick Thistle
.
for £200,000 and in six years at Ninian Park
played over 200 games for the Bluebirds, including helping them win promotion to the Football League Championship
. During his time at Cardiff, Alexander became a fans favourite and manager Lennie Lawrence
was heavily criticised on several occasions after attempting to replace him with Tony Warner
. During the 2006–07 season he became embroiled in a contract dispute with the club which left him refusing to sign a new contract. Cardiff manager Dave Jones replaced Alexander as first choice for the last two months of the season with David Forde. His last appearance for Cardiff was on 31 March in a 1–0 defeat to Sunderland
and at the time of his departure he was the longest serving player at the club.
. On his arrival at Portman Road
Alexander immediately became first choice goalkeeper at the club. He made his debut against Sheffield Wednesday
on 11 August 2007. Alexander made 31 appearances for Ipswich during his six month spell.
agreed a deal with Ipswich Town
for the transfer of Alexander and he signed a three and half year contract later that day. The transfer was believed to be a free with add-ons related to success, although its officially undisclosed.
On 3 February, Alexander made his debut for Rangers as an 88th minute substitute, after Allan McGregor
had been sent off in the Scottish Cup
against Hibernian
. On 16 April, Alexander made his Old Firm
debut as a 77th minute substitute for the injured Allan McGregor
. He then played a vital role in Rangers' UEFA Cup
and Scottish Cup
semi-final wins, where he made important saves when both games were decided by penalty shoot-outs.
Alexander was promoted to first choice keeper at Rangers in April 2009, following the suspension of Allan McGregor
after a late night drinking session with then Rangers and Scotland captain, Barry Ferguson
. He remained in goal until the end of the season, winning the league and cup double. The following season McGregor returned to first choice goalkeeper but Alexander played in all matches of the successful 2009-10 League Cup campaign
, including the final against St. Mirren
.
In the pre season testimonial game for Queen of the South's Jim Thomson, Alexander came on at half time as a substitute for Queens despite being on the Rangers bench. Queens Roddy McKenzie
had gone off injured. Scally initially went in goal due to both the other keepers on Queens' books being injured.
In the 2010-11 season, Alexander was second choice keeper, but, was promoted to first choice in league cup games. He won his third league cup honour with Rangers on the 20 March 2011, in a 2-1 extra time win over Old Firm
rivals Celtic
.
. He made his Scotland
debut as a 49th minute substitute in a friendly against Switzerland
in 1 March 2006. Alexander also played a part in Scotland's 2006 Kirin Cup win and played both matches against Bulgaria
and Japan
.
Cardiff City
Rangers
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
goalkeeper who is currently playing for Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
side Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
.
Early career
Alexander started his career with StenhousemuirStenhousemuir F.C.
Stenhousemuir FC is a Scottish football club located in Stenhousemuir. The club is a member of the Scottish Football League and currently plays in the Scottish Second Division....
before moving to Livingston
Livingston F.C.
Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team...
in 1998, where he was part of the Scottish First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
title-winning side of 2001. He made his Livingston debut on 3 October 1998 against Partick Thistle
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
.
Cardiff City
On 28 May 2001 he joined Cardiff CityCardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
for £200,000 and in six years at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
played over 200 games for the Bluebirds, including helping them win promotion to the Football League Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
. During his time at Cardiff, Alexander became a fans favourite and manager Lennie Lawrence
Lennie Lawrence
Robin Michael Lawrence, commonly known as Lennie Lawrence, is a British football manager who is assistant manager of Crystal Palace. He has managed a number of English clubs and one Welsh club in a coaching career spanning over 30 years...
was heavily criticised on several occasions after attempting to replace him with Tony Warner
Tony Warner
Anthony Randolph "Tony" Warner is a Trinidad and Tobago international football goalkeeper who currently plays for the Wellington Phoenix.-Footballing career:...
. During the 2006–07 season he became embroiled in a contract dispute with the club which left him refusing to sign a new contract. Cardiff manager Dave Jones replaced Alexander as first choice for the last two months of the season with David Forde. His last appearance for Cardiff was on 31 March in a 1–0 defeat to Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
and at the time of his departure he was the longest serving player at the club.
Ipswich Town
On 16 July 2007 he put pen to paper on a deal with rival Championship side Ipswich TownIpswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
. On his arrival at Portman Road
Portman Road
Portman Road is an association football stadium in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. It has been the home ground of Ipswich Town F.C. since 1884. The stadium has also hosted a number of England youth international matches, and one senior England friendly international match, against Croatia in 2003...
Alexander immediately became first choice goalkeeper at the club. He made his debut against Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
on 11 August 2007. Alexander made 31 appearances for Ipswich during his six month spell.
Rangers
On 30 January 2008, RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
agreed a deal with Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
for the transfer of Alexander and he signed a three and half year contract later that day. The transfer was believed to be a free with add-ons related to success, although its officially undisclosed.
On 3 February, Alexander made his debut for Rangers as an 88th minute substitute, after Allan McGregor
Allan McGregor
Allan James McGregor is a Scottish association footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Rangers and the Scotland national team...
had been sent off in the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
against Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
. On 16 April, Alexander made his Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
debut as a 77th minute substitute for the injured Allan McGregor
Allan McGregor
Allan James McGregor is a Scottish association footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Rangers and the Scotland national team...
. He then played a vital role in Rangers' UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
and Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
semi-final wins, where he made important saves when both games were decided by penalty shoot-outs.
Alexander was promoted to first choice keeper at Rangers in April 2009, following the suspension of Allan McGregor
Allan McGregor
Allan James McGregor is a Scottish association footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Rangers and the Scotland national team...
after a late night drinking session with then Rangers and Scotland captain, Barry Ferguson
Barry Ferguson
Barry Ferguson MBE is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Blackpool.Ferguson has made 82 appearances in European competitions, all for Rangers, which makes him the record European appearance holder at the club. He was also inducted into the Rangers F.C. Hall of Fame...
. He remained in goal until the end of the season, winning the league and cup double. The following season McGregor returned to first choice goalkeeper but Alexander played in all matches of the successful 2009-10 League Cup campaign
2010 Scottish League Cup Final
The 2010 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2009–10 Scottish League Cup, the 63rd season of the Scottish League Cup.-St. Mirren:...
, including the final against St. Mirren
St. Mirren F.C.
St Mirren Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Paisley, Renfrewshire who play in the Scottish Premier League, having been promoted from the First Division in 2005–06.St...
.
In the pre season testimonial game for Queen of the South's Jim Thomson, Alexander came on at half time as a substitute for Queens despite being on the Rangers bench. Queens Roddy McKenzie
Roddy McKenzie
Roderick "Roddy" McKenzie is a Scottish professional association footballer. He is a goalkeeper for Queen of the South in the Scottish Football League First Division.-Hearts & Stenhousemuir:...
had gone off injured. Scally initially went in goal due to both the other keepers on Queens' books being injured.
In the 2010-11 season, Alexander was second choice keeper, but, was promoted to first choice in league cup games. He won his third league cup honour with Rangers on the 20 March 2011, in a 2-1 extra time win over Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
rivals Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
.
Club Career Statistics
(Accurate as of 30th July 2011)| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... /SCC |
Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Stenhousemuir Stenhousemuir F.C. Stenhousemuir FC is a Scottish football club located in Stenhousemuir. The club is a member of the Scottish Football League and currently plays in the Scottish Second Division.... |
|||||||||||
| 1996–97 1996-97 in Scottish football The 1996–97 season was the 100th season of competitive football in Scotland. This season seen a playoff system introduced between the 2nd bottom club in the Premier Division and the 2nd top club in Division One.-Scottish Premier Division:... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 1997–98 1997-98 in Scottish football The 1997–98 season was the 101st season of competitive football in Scotland. Celtic halted Rangers in their bid for a record 10-in-a-row.-Scottish Premier Division:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:-Top scorers:-Table:... |
36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 0 | |
| Total | 41 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
| Livingston Livingston F.C. Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team... |
|||||||||||
| 1998–99 1998-99 in Scottish football The 1998–99 season was the 102nd season of Scottish league football.-Summary:The 1998–99 SPL season was one that ended in success for Rangers. Dutchman Dick Advocaat was brought in to replace Walter Smith at Rangers and made major changes, bringing in many players.Rangers were... |
21 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 | |
| 1999–2000 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2000-01 2000-01 in Scottish football The 2000–01 season was the 104th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2000–01 Scottish Premier League was won by Celtic, 15 points clear of Rangers who finished second. Both teams earned a place in the UEFA Champions League. Hibernian and Kilmarnock... |
26 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 36 | 1 | |
| Total | 60 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 75 | 0 | |
| Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
|||||||||||
| 2001-02 2001-02 in English football The 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the... |
48 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 53 | 0 | |
| 2002-03 2002-03 in English football The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable... |
43 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 48 | 0 | |
| 2003–04 2003-04 in English football The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game.... |
25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 25 | 0 | |
| 2004–05 2004-05 in English football The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League... |
17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 19 | 0 | |
| 2005–06 2005-06 in English football The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether... |
46 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 48 | 0 | |
| 2006–07 2006-07 in English football The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five... |
39 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 41 | 0 | |
| Total | 218 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 234 | 0 | |
| Ipswich Town Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02.... |
|||||||||||
| 2007–08 2007-08 in English football The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool... |
29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 30 | 0 | |
| Total | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 31 | 0 | |
| Rangers Rangers F.C. Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses... |
|||||||||||
| 2007–08 2007-08 in Scottish football The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic... |
8 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 2008-09 in Scottish football The 2008–09 season was the 112th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Hamilton Academical competed in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first season in the top-flight since the 1988–89 season, after being promoted as First Division champions the... |
11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2011–12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 25 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
International career
Alexander was first called up for Scotland during the 2002 Far East tour but did not receive a capCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
. He made his Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
debut as a 49th minute substitute in a friendly against Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
in 1 March 2006. Alexander also played a part in Scotland's 2006 Kirin Cup win and played both matches against Bulgaria
Bulgaria national football team
The FIFA Bulgaria national football team is an association football team fielded by the Bulgarian Football Union, a member association of UEFA. The team's home ground is Vasil Levski in Sofia and Luboslav Penev is in charge manager after replacement of Lothar Matthäus...
and Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
.
Honours
LivingstonLivingston F.C.
Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team...
- Scottish Second Division (1): 19991998-99 in Scottish footballThe 1998–99 season was the 102nd season of Scottish league football.-Summary:The 1998–99 SPL season was one that ended in success for Rangers. Dutchman Dick Advocaat was brought in to replace Walter Smith at Rangers and made major changes, bringing in many players.Rangers were...
- Scottish First Division (1): 20012000-01 in Scottish footballThe 2000–01 season was the 104th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2000–01 Scottish Premier League was won by Celtic, 15 points clear of Rangers who finished second. Both teams earned a place in the UEFA Champions League. Hibernian and Kilmarnock...
Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
Play-Off Winners: (1): 2003The Football League 2002-03The 2002–2003 season was the 103rd completed season of The Football League.-Football League First Division:Portsmouth won the First Division by some distance, passing manager Harry Redknapp’s old club, West Ham on the way down. Leicester City earned a somewhat controversial promotion, as...
Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
- Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
(3): 2009Scottish Premier League 2008-09The 2008–09 Scottish Premier League season was the eleventh season of the Scottish Premier League and the second season under the sponsorship of the Clydesdale Bank...
, 2010, 20112010–11 Scottish Premier LeagueThe 2010–11 Scottish Premier League was the thirteenth season of the Scottish Premier League, the highest division of Scottish football. It commenced on 14 August 2010 and ended on 15 May 2011... - Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
(2): 20082008 Scottish Cup FinalThe 2008 Scottish Cup Final was a football match which took place at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 24 May 2008. The match was the final of the 123rd Scottish Cup and was contested by Queen of the South and Rangers. Queen of the South beat Aberdeen 4–3 in their semi-final, Rangers beat St...
, 20092009 Scottish Cup FinalThe 2009 Scottish Cup Final was the final of the 124th season of the main domestic football cup competition in Scotland, the Scottish Cup. The final was played at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 30 May 2009... - Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
(3): 20082008 Scottish League Cup Final-Statistics:-References:...
, 20102010 Scottish League Cup FinalThe 2010 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2009–10 Scottish League Cup, the 63rd season of the Scottish League Cup.-St. Mirren:...
, 20112011 Scottish League Cup FinalThe 2011 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2010–11 Scottish League Cup, the 64th season of the Scottish League Cup. It was played by Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers. Rangers won the trophy after extra time 2–1.-Celtic:...