Steven Gerrard set to make embarrassing Ibrox record

Very few Celtic or Rangers managers can do what Gerrard has managed in terms of trophy records. If he starts the next season as manager at Ibrox, he’ll go down in history.

Assuming he remains in charge, he gets to be the first ever manager at the Rangers  to start a third season trophy less from the previous two seasons. The demand for success is so high across that it’s rare to see that level of patience from a board and fans. At Celtic only Jimmy McGrory and Liam Brady made it as managers to a third season after two blanks.

Ex Celtic managers had something to say about Gerrard recently with Liam Brady commenting in the Daily Record and John Barnes via Goal.

Brady reflected on some similarities between his first spell as a manager then battling against a successful opposition with that of Gerrard at Rangers now. Given that Brady was sacked after a matter of weeks in his third season it’ll be interesting to see if the similarity continues! Brady does recognise the reality and pressure lack of success brings for a manager:

"“It doesn’t matter how well your team is playing – you just HAVE to win up there. If you’re second then you’re a loser and that’s life in Glasgow.”“If it doesn’t go right it gets really difficult and I don’t wish that on anyone – even if it is the manager of Rangers.”"

No need to be too kind there Liam, we’ll live with that when it happens.

Separately, John Barnes has been sounding off erratically on Twitter about his Celtic exit. But he’s been talking sense when it comes to trophyless Steven Gerrard not being good enough to manage in the English Premier League.

In discussions with Goal John Barnes recognises that Gerrard will be looking to return to England as a manager at some point. But he’s clear that despite mischievous rumours and unfounded discussion it won’t be to Liverpool anytime soon.  Barnes feels Gerrard is less likely to get offers from premiership clubs, the championship being a more likely opportunity:

"“Gerrard needs another stepping stone after Rangers – Barnes can’t see top clubs like Liverpool calling”"

Now you might think that’s how Barnes would think as an ex Celtic man, But he’s not shown great love for the club as he moaned online about his exit as manager being unfair. Celtic fans on twitter soon put him right, sacked for not being good enough, get over it!

Let’s also remember he is an ex Liverpool player too, so he has awareness and feeling for the reds. Mind you it doesn’t take an expert to know that Jurgen Klopp is signed up as manager until 2024 for the club about to win the EPL, so not likely to be going anywhere and creating a vacancy.

Can Gerrard do enough to display great managerial skills at Rangers to be worthy of a top role in the EPL? He doesn’t seem to have cracked it in his first two years does he?

With a potential reputation at risk, The question marks are already out there about a possible exit route for him to slip out. If he feels he isn’t backed beyond Hagi, then his hopes of stopping 10-in-a-row may be gone too.And as yet he’s still not very visible in the work to prepare for next season.  Have you seen Gerrard yet?