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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Former Rangers and Airdrie star dies after short illness

Former Airdrie and Rangers star Doug Baillie has died at the age of 85.

The centre-half, whose son Lex played for Celtic in the 1990s, passed away after a short illness.

In his impressive playing career, Baillie won three league titles during a four-year spell with Rangers and spent seven seasons with the Diamonds over two spells in the 1950s, making more than 100 appearances. He played 31 times for Rangers.

Baillie also spent time at Third Lanark, Falkirk and Dunfermline.

Dougie signed for Airdrieonians from Douglas Water Thistle at the age 15 in August 1952. His time at Broomfield lasted until the start of the 1960/61 season, with a very brief encounter in England with Swindon town in 1956 but he soon returned for a second spell as a Diamond. He made 185 appearances during that period scoring around 15 goals.

In 1961, he left Airdrie for Rangers for a record fee of £15,000 after a transfer request.

He only played occasionally during his four years at Ibrox, then a season with Third Lanark followed before heading for Brockville where he made over a hundred appearances for the Bairns before his final swansong in 1969, at East End Park for a year.

After hanging up his boots, Baillie went on to become a highly-respected journalist. He covered two World Cups for the Sunday Post and was also president of the Scottish Football Writers’ Association.

He retired from the profession in 2001.

Comedian and Rangers fan Andy Cameron MBE tweeted his tribute after hearing the news. He said: "Big Doug Baillie gone. Airdrie and Rangers and a funny man, had a great sense of humour. Rest in peace big fella."

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