‘Always the case’ – David Weir gives stunning verdict on Rangers ambitions under Gerrard
Former Rangers captain David Weir has delivered the stunning verdict that Steven Gerrard will be expected to win the Scottish Premiership title as Gers manager next season – and believes that is “always the case” at Ibrox.
Gerrard takes the reins on Friday as he starts his managerial career with the Light Blues and Weir admits that the Liverpool icon is in a “really difficult situation” after Celtic won a seventh successive title.
Weir believes the decision to hire Gerrard is a “gamble” but thinks the 37-year-old “looks like he’s up for the challenge,” despite knowing the challenge he faces in closing the gap on the Hoops, let alone winning the title.
“What the expectation should be is to get closer to Celtic, I think. Hopefully cup finals and potentially winning a trophy,” Weir said, as quoted by the BBC.
“But, realistically it’ll be winning the league. I think that’s always the case at Rangers, that’s what the fans expect. That’s what they want.
“Celtic are going for eight [titles] in a row, the panic button’s starting to get pressed and it’s a really difficult situation to be in but he looks like he’s up for the challenge.
“It’s a gamble on both parts. It’s a gamble for Rangers because he’s got a lack of managerial experience but it’s a gamble for him because he’s starting off in his managerial career chasing a really good Celtic team.”
Football Insider verdict:
Weir seems unable to make his mind up over what the expectations should be at Ibrox. A few days ago he was complaining that expectations were too high when he was assistant to Mark Warburton but now it is “always the case” that Gers fans will expect the title. The former Gers captain also thinks Gerrard is a gamble and, while he is right on that, any appointment at Ibrox would be a gamble just now and the decision to appoint Gerrard over the other names linked with the role appears to be the best fit. With only a matter of weeks before the Light Blues kick off their Europa League campaign, Gerrard will need to hit the ground running as he starts his managerial career in earnest. Any manager coming to Glasgow with the other half of the Old Firm on seven successive titles is going to come into a ‘really difficult situation’ but Gerrard’s background as a player will help him prepare as well as he can.
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