Gav’s still full of praise for Fab and Caniggia
The Bird and The Feather didn’t flock together at Dundee.
But Claudio Caniggia and Fabrizio Ravanelli both bowed down to the same “Guv’nor” at Dens Park.
Nearly 20 years have passed since Argentinian superstar Caniggia shocked the world by becoming a Dee. Gavin Rae, like everyone else in the City of Discovery, had to pinch himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.
It was the same story three years later when Ravanelli arrived.
That remarkable period in the club’s history is the subject of a new book entitled, The Bird And The Feather: Caniggia And Ravanelli’s Dundee Adventures, by journalist Graeme Strachan.
For Rae, who shared a pitch with both, the memories remain as vivid as ever.
“I totally loved being part of the club at that time,” said ‘Guv’, who now lives in Australia. “It was truly incredible to experience as a player.
“Before Claudio signed, there were lots of rumours going around, but I don’t think I really believed he would actually come and join us.
“When he arrived, I was stunned and that was even after all the signings we had already made at the club and the craziness around at that time.”
Even aged 33, Caniggia arrived in Scotland aiming to play his way into contention for a place in Argentina’s 2002 World Cup squad. His ambition was treated with scepticism by some. But after seeing the man known as The Bird in action, Rae knew he was for real. “Claudio was very much a chilled-out trainer,” he said. “But when it came to games, he would really switch it on. It was unbelievable. “He was a lovely guy too, very down to earth and friendly. I can’t speak highly enough of him. He was a superstar, but never acted like it one bit.
“Even at the age he was, he was at a playing level way above mere mortals like myself.
“He is still the best player I ever played with. He was sensational.” Caniggia quickly earned a move to Rangers, but Dundee’s bigspending wasn’t over.
By the time Ravanelli (inset), dubbed The White Feather, arrived, the end of the road was near. Rae was himself sold to the Gers after Dundee entered administration.
Fifteen years on, Rae said: “Ravanelli was great. An amazing trainer and professional and it was obvious how good a player he was.
“I am sure he would have come on to a game had things kept going at Dundee.
“It was clear he was a top player and had had a brilliant career – he would have scored goals anywhere.
“We really could and should have been a third force in Scottish football but we underachieved with what we had. “The football was expansive and attacking and the fans would leave every week having been entertained, I am sure.”