GIVE HIM TIME...EVEN SECOND PLACE IS TOUGH

IT is great to see a former England international of Steven Gerrard’s calibre be prepared to take a job like this. How often do we bemoan a lack of opportunities for young English managers, or that too many ex-pros are lost to the media? Gerrard’s ultimate ambition must be to one day manage Liverpool but this move shows he is not afraid of taking on challenges to prove himself. He is a winner. He will feel he can give Rangers all the fighting qualities they need to compete — but he must be given time to do so. Including caretakers, Rangers have been through seven managers since 2014 in their quest to get back on an even keel with Celtic. Earlier this season the club sacked Pedro Caixinha after seven months in charge and Graeme Murty — who was meant to be a safe pair of hands until the new manager arrived — has been dismissed. It is hard to see Celtic loosening their grip on the Scottish Premiership unless Brendan Rodgers leaves. Even then, it is not a foregone conclusion that Rangers will finish second next season, let alone push for the title. Derek McInnes’ work with second-placed Aberdeen has seen him linked with the West Brom job, and Neil Lennon has built a decent Hibernian side who recently beat Celtic. Then there is Steve Clarke at Kilmarnock who has lost just five of his 30 games since taking over in October. All three will be licking their lips at the prospect of pitting themselves against Gerrard. While Gerrard will want to deliver success as quickly as his new employers, he must be given a chance to build. It is wonderful for Scottish football to have a manager of his profile. Should he lead Rangers to the Premiership title, a huge job would surely await him in England.