Pat Nevin names example of just how wrong Gerrard spell at Rangers could go
Pat Nevin thinks John Barnes’ ill-fated stint in charge as Celtic manager should serve as a cautionary tale for Steven Gerrard as the Liverpool legend looks set to take the reins at Ibrox.
Barnes had less than a season in charge at Parkhead before being sacked following one of the biggest Scottish Cup shocks in history when Inverness Caledonian Thistle triumphed at Celtic Park.
Nevins believes that should show how it can go wrong for Gerrard and insisted the 37-year-old will be “expected” to beat Celtic in the league next season if he does take charge.
“You look at John Barnes at Celtic and it didn’t work – a guy who was brought in when the backing didn’t seem to be there,” Nevin said, as quoted by BBC Scotland.
He added: “It just shows you what happens if you get on the wrong side of what is expected of you here.
“And, if you are Steven Gerrard at Rangers, you are expected to beat Celtic in the league.”
Gerrard is expected in Glasgow today (Monday) for further talks over taking the reins from Graeme Murty, according to ESPN, and could be unveiled as the new Gers boss this week.
The Light Blues have three games left in the Scottish Premiership campaign – home to Kilmarnock before away games with Aberdeen then Hibernian – as they look to secure second in the table.
The Gers are three points behind Aberdeen going into the final game of the season while lead Hibs on goal difference.
Football Insider verdict
Barnes reign was an absolute shambles although it did prompt a famous banner from Rangers fans in an Old Firm game years later reading “at least Barnes could rap” in a dig at then Hoops boss Tony Mowbray. There is no doubt that Gerrard is a huge gamble and there are some paralells between the pair. If Gerrard does take over at Ibrox there is a massive risk of it going wrong if he isn’t fully backed by the Gers board in the transfer market this summer.
In other Rangers news, Dave King must improve his offer to Gerrard after an English club joined the hunt to appoint the Liverpool icon.
Don’t miss out on breaking and exclusive Rangers news by clicking here for our brilliant 24/7 updates on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.