34 Facts About Neil Alexander

James Neil Alexander was born on 10 March 1978 and is a Scottish football coach and former professional player.

Neil Alexander became the first choice goalkeeper for Rangers after McGregor left the club following Rangers entering administration and subsequent liquidation in 2012.

Neil Alexander left Rangers in 2013 after a dispute over wages, having won the Scottish Third Division title at the first attempt, to join Premier League side Crystal Palace.

Neil Alexander returned to Scotland for a third time following the expiration of his contract at Palace with Heart of Midlothian.

Neil Alexander was released by Hearts in 2016 and then spent a year as a backup at Aberdeen.

Neil Alexander then returned to Livingston in 2017, and helped them win promotion in his final season as a player.

Neil Alexander represented Scotland at under-21 and B levels and gained three caps at full international level in 2006, winning the Kirin Cup.

In March 2022 Neil Alexander joined Dunfermline Athletic as goalkeeping coach following the departure of Owain Fon Williams.

Neil Alexander started his career with local youth side Edina Hibs in Niddrie, Edinburgh and attracted interest from Arbroath, agreeing scholarship terms with the club.

However, at the age of 18, Neil Alexander was spotted by Stenhousemuir manager Terry Christie while playing for Edina.

The club had been rejected on several occasions prior to this when attempting to sign a new goalkeeper, failing in bids to sign Andy Marriott, Stewart Kerr and Jamie Langfield, and had originally traveled to watch his Livingston teammate Ian McCaldon, even preparing a bid for the player, but discovered that Neil Alexander was to be out of contract and could be signed for a much lower price.

At the time of his arrival, chairman Hammam's investment had seen the club rise from the Third Division to pushing for promotion to the First Division in four years and Neil Alexander remained ever present in league competition during his first season as the club were eliminated in the play-off semi-final by Stoke City.

Neil Alexander kept clean sheets in both legs of the play-off semi-final, making his 100th appearance in all competitions for the Bluebirds during the second leg, earning plaudits for his performances which were described as "faultless".

Neil Alexander made his debut for Rangers on 3 February 2008, coming on as a substitute after Allan McGregor had been sent off in a Scottish Cup tie at Hibernian.

However, after two seasons as understudy to McGregor, Neil Alexander began to grow frustrated at the lack of playing time and publicly stated that he would consider quitting the club if he was not able to establish himself as the club's first choice.

Five months later, Neil Alexander was promoted to first choice keeper at Rangers in April 2009, after McGregor was suspended for a late night drinking session, alongside then Rangers and Scotland captain Barry Ferguson.

Neil Alexander remained in goal until the end of the season, finishing the season with eleven league appearances and helping to clinch a league and cup double.

Neil Alexander took the decision to extend his stay at the club despite admitting that his decision to remain as second choice would end his hopes of any further international call-ups.

Neil Alexander was one of three senior players who agreed to have his contract switched to Green's company, and was one of 13 players who turned up for the club's first training session following the sale.

Allan McGregor refused to transfer his contract, which meant that Neil Alexander became first choice 'keeper at Rangers as they embarked on a campaign in the fourth tier of the Scottish football league system.

Manager Ally McCoist and goalkeeping coach Jim Stewart both tried to convince Neil Alexander to stay with the club.

Neil Alexander claimed that he had been denied a wage increase and an improved appearance bonus that had been promised if he became first choice goalkeeper.

Neil Alexander eventually signed for newly promoted Premier League side Crystal Palace on an initial one-year deal on 14 August 2013, as understudy to Julian Speroni.

Neil Alexander had been recommended to manager Ian Holloway by goalkeeping coach George Wood who had previously coached Alexander at Cardiff City.

Neil Alexander signed a one-year contract with Aberdeen in June 2016, joining alongside fellow goalkeeper Joe Lewis.

Lewis began the season as the club's first-choice goalkeeper and his form saw Neil Alexander remain as backup during the campaign.

Neil Alexander chose to remain living in Glasgow, travelling to Aberdeen each day for training and matches.

Neil Alexander signed for Livingston in July 2017, returning to the club 16 years after he left for Cardiff City.

The draw resulted in a penalty shootout with Neil Alexander saving three opposition penalties to win the tie for his side.

Neil Alexander helped the club gain promotion via the Scottish Championship play-offs after defeating Partick Thistle, making 47 appearances in all competitions.

Neil Alexander was called up a second time in August 2002 for a UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying group match against Faroe Islands after Neil Sullivan was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Neil Alexander played a part in Scotland's 2006 Kirin Cup win and played both matches against Bulgaria and Japan.

Neil Alexander retired from playing in June 2018, and was appointed goalkeeping coach at Dundee United.

In March 2022 Neil Alexander joined John Hughes's Dunfermline Athletic backroom team as goalkeeping coach following the departure of Owain Fon Williams.