Ex-Rangers star Baillie dies at the age of 85
FORMER Rangers defender and respected sportswriter Doug Baillie has died at the age of 85 after a short illness.
A formidable defender in his day and know affectionately as ‘Big Man’ to journalistic colleagues at The Sunday Post, he was famous for his dry sense of humour, larger-than-life personality and quirky match reports.
Baillie started his career at Airdrie and enjoyed seven seasons at Broomfield before moving to Ibrox in 1960 where he became a multiple title winner.
A member of the Rangers team that secured championships in 1961, 1963 and 1964, he eventually moved on to Third Lanark.
A further four seasons would follow at Falkirk before he ended his playing career at Dunfermline, for whom he played in the Fairs Cities’ Cup against Belgians Anderlecht in 1970 in what would be the Fife club’s last match in European competition for almost 35 years.
After retiring from football he became a well-regarded football reporter for the Sunday Post, covering five World Cup finals in Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Italy and France.
He became President of the Scottish Football Writers’ Association in 1990.
Baillie retired in 2002 and maintained a low profile as he settled into a contented life with his family.
His son Lex also had a successful career as a defender with Celtic, St Mirren and Dunfermline before retiring from the game to become a police officer.