Barry Ferguson: This is what Gerrard will realise within minutes of arriving at Rangers
Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson thinks that Steven Gerrard’s imminent appointment as manager at Ibrox deserves “nothing but praise” – and claims that Gerrard will see “within minutes” how fat the standards have been allowed to drop at the Glasgow giants.
Gerrard is expected to be confirmed as the Gers new boss on Friday, according to the Daily Record, after signing a three-year deal to replace Graeme Murty in the Light Blues’ dugout.
Ferguson believes that Gerrard’s playing career at Liverpool will prepare him for meeting the standards expected at Ibrox as the Gers look to end bitter rivals Celtic dominating Scottish football.
“The fact someone of Stevie G’s calibre is so close to walking through those front doors as manager is something I can’t help but get excited about. And [Dave] King and his regime deserve nothing but praise for even making it a possibility,” Ferguson said, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“I realise there are concerns about his lack of managerial experience and I understand that. There are risks involved with any appointment.
“But what you are dealing with here is a guy who has spent his entire career operating at the highest level. He knows the standards required to be successful at a giant club.
“And if there’s one thing we know about Rangers it’s the standards the club once held dear have been allowed to slip over the last few years. There’s no doubt in my mind if Stevie G and Gary McAllister do walk in through those doors they’ll see it for themselves within minutes.
“And they’ll know exactly what is required to fix it.”
Gerrard has been coaching Liverpool’s Under-18s since hanging up his boots but his arrival at Ibrox will be seen as a coup for the Light Blues.
The 37-year-old will likely watch his new side in action on Saturday when they face Kilmarnock at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership in their final home game of the season.
Football Insider verdict
Gerrard and McAllister will be under no illusions of the size of task facing them at Ibrox but both will almost certainly come into the club expecting the worst. Having spent most of his career at the highest level, Gerrard will know exactly what is needed from his players to get the Gers back where they need to be but it remains to be seen if he is capable of translating that into action and getting results. With only three games left in the season, Gerrard will either have tapes of them sent or will take them in himself to get a chance to see the players in action as he starts to cast his eye towards bringing in new faces in the summer and looks to see who he wants to keep around next season with huge turnover of players likely as the former Liverpool captain gets to work.
In other Rangers news, this centre-back wanted by the Gers and rivals Celtic is due to head to Glasgow with his deal expiring soon.
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