Alex Craig
Encyclopedia
Alex Craig was a former football player who played for Rangers
, Greenock Morton
and .
He is one of only three players born in what is now the Republic of Ireland
to play for the Rangers. The other two were Alex Stevenson
and James Lowry McAuley.
born Craig joined Rangers
from junior side Rutherglen Glencairn
. His initial seasons at Ibrox coincided with a rare lean spell, and he left without a single major winner's medal. The closest he came was in 1905 when Rangers lost a replayed Scottish Cup
final 3-1 to Third Lanark. In his final season, 1910/11 Rangers did win the League title, but Craig made just a single appearance, and so was not entitled to a medal.
By the time of his move to Greenock Morton
, Craig was proving his versatility by slotting in regularly on the left-hand side of defence. In May 1914 Craig returned to Ibrox, making his second debut in a Merchant's Cup Final defeat by Celtic
. He was a regular in the Gers' side for the initial war-time campaign and was still on he club's books when hostilities ended though his last appearances were made in April 1916. Still without a significant club honour, Craig finished his playing days in the Western League with Johnstone
.
's expulsion by the Irish FA. He made his Ireland debut in a 3-1 defeat by England in February 1908, playing in each of that year's British Home Championship
ties at right-back. But it was at left-back that Craig played during each of the 1914 Home Championship games as Ireland claimed the title outright for the first time.
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...
, Greenock Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
and .
He is one of only three players born in what is now the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
to play for the Rangers. The other two were Alex Stevenson
Alex Stevenson
Alexander Ernest Stevenson was an Irish footballer who played for Rangers and Everton, amongst other teams. As an international, Stevenson also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
and James Lowry McAuley.
Club career
GalwayGalway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
born Craig joined 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...
from junior side Rutherglen Glencairn
Rutherglen Glencairn F.C.
Rutherglen Glencairn Football Club are a Scottish football club based in Rutherglen,...
. His initial seasons at Ibrox coincided with a rare lean spell, and he left without a single major winner's medal. The closest he came was in 1905 when Rangers lost a replayed 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...
final 3-1 to Third Lanark. In his final season, 1910/11 Rangers did win the League title, but Craig made just a single appearance, and so was not entitled to a medal.
By the time of his move to Greenock Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
, Craig was proving his versatility by slotting in regularly on the left-hand side of defence. In May 1914 Craig returned to Ibrox, making his second debut in a Merchant's Cup Final defeat by 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...
. He was a regular in the Gers' side for the initial war-time campaign and was still on he club's books when hostilities ended though his last appearances were made in April 1916. Still without a significant club honour, Craig finished his playing days in the Western League with Johnstone
Johnstone F.C.
Johnstone F.C. were a Scottish football club based at Newfield Park in Johnstone. The club were former members of the Scottish Football League....
.
International career
Craig's international career began as he reaped the benefits of Billy McCrackenBilly McCracken
Billy McCracken was a Northern Irish association football player. His position was defender....
's expulsion by the Irish FA. He made his Ireland debut in a 3-1 defeat by England in February 1908, playing in each of that year's British Home Championship
British Home Championship
The British Home Championship was an annual football competition contested between the United Kingdom's four national teams, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the 1883–84 season until the 1983–84...
ties at right-back. But it was at left-back that Craig played during each of the 1914 Home Championship games as Ireland claimed the title outright for the first time.