Rice played for Hibernian, Nottingham Forest, Grimsby Town, West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City, Falkirk, Dunfermline Athletic, Clyde and Greenock Morton.

Since his retirement from playing, Rice has worked as a coach for Greenock Morton, Airdrieonians, Falkirk, Hibernian, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, St Mirren and Livingston.

He scored a memorable winning goal in the sixth round of the FA Cup against Arsenal in 1988, and became a 'cult hero' with the fans due to his lack of pace.

In 2000, Rice was appointed assistant manager to Ian McCall at Greenock Morton, making one appearance as a player.

McCall eventually moved on to Dundee United, while Rice continued at Falkirk, assisting John Hughes.

[9] Rice left Inverness in June 2018 to take the assistant manager position at St Mirren, working for Alan Stubbs.