Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
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Murphy: Stevie will take Ibrox job if board give him the cash to take on rivals Celtic
STEVEN GERRARD is delaying a decision over whether to become Rangers next manager until he receives guarantees that he will have a spending budget that gives him a chance of denting Celtic’s dominance.
The Liverpool and England icon’s close pal and former team-mate Danny Murphy spoke to Gerrard at the weekend and revealed he remains very interested in taking over at Ibrox.
But Gerrard is refusing to jump at the offer and is determined to carry out his own due diligence before committing to replacing Graeme Murty at the end of the season.
Speaking on Talksport, Murphy (inset) said: “The truth is that there is nothing definitive, in that he has had talks and they were positive, and I think that’s a good thing.
“I can’t say if he’s taking the job yet because I don’t know – he doesn’t know – what’s in the war chest.
“He’s got more talks this week and he is a really ambitious guy, always has been since he walked on to the training pitch as a young guy at Melwood.
“But he’s also bright and I don’t think he is going to put himself into a position where he is going to walk into a job with his hands tied, in terms of the resources he’s got to compete with Brendan (Rodgers). It’s ironic really that Brendan is the Celtic manager.
“I suppose as a football club Rangers can’t be trying to get someone like Steven, who is young, hungry and ambitious, to go there and try and compete and sell him a dummy.
“You have to think there is some credibility on what they’re trying to do.
“He was excited but without the confirmation of what it actually entails. I certainly think there is legs in it but there is a bit to go.
“I think he’s probably needing more assurances.
“The only thing with that is, I was thinking: how do you get concrete assurances with something like that?
Meanwhile John Hartson reckons Gerrard can’t fail at Rangers because it would be impossible for him to make them any worse.
While many observers feel the Liverpool legend should run a mile after Sunday’s 5-0 derby humiliation (below), his old friend believes he has nothing to lose.
Hartson said: “Instant success? Well, he can’t do that. Pep Guardiola couldn’t do that. How could you work with that group of players?
“They got their best player, Declan John, on loan from the Championship then bought him from Cardiff. That’s what they’re dealing with.
“Steven has got a decision to make. I don’t think he would have a lot to lose. At the minute, Rangers can’t string two passes together. They’re woeful. He can’t make them any worse.”