Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FERGIE TIME
Gerrard so glad to chat to Sir Alex
STEVEN GERRARD last night spoke of the debt of gratitude he owes Sir Alex Ferguson for mentoring him through the early years of his management career.
The Rangers boss was speaking as he was named Manager of the Year by the Scottish Football Writers’ Association in the same week as Manchester United legend Fergie described Gerrard’s achievements at Ibrox as ‘magnificent’.
Gerrard, who had the title wrapped up two months ago, takes his team to Livingston tonight just 180 minutes away from an invincible league season.
And he revealed that words of encouragement from Fergie have played an integral part of his managerial journey since arriving in Glasgow in the summer of 2018.
Gerrard said: “It’s very high praise and I’m extremely flattered. He’s an iconic figure in the game.
“Through no fault of our own we became big, big rivals at Liverpool and Manchester United, the two biggest clubs in British football.
“Even though he was a rival I looked up to him immensely because he is such an iconic figure in the game. What he achieved in the game is up there with the very best who have ever lived.
“So I’m really flattered and humbled by his words and I’ll let you into a little secret, I’ve had a couple of conversations with him.
“Since I’ve retired, we’ve parked our rivalry up and he gave me time on the phone to bounce a few things off him, a few questions to do with management up here at Rangers.
“He was fantastic in those conversations and at some point moving forward I’d love the chance to sit down with him and have a coffee.
“He’s agreed to that and that’s fantastic because he doesn’t have to give his time, especially being a rival.
“But I think that goes to show what type of man he is – he’s not just the iconic manager we all know.”
Gerrard’s team will head to Livingston tonight without Borna Barisic and Scott Arfield, both of whom have an outside chance of making trophy day against Aberdeen on Saturday.
Ryan Jack, who will miss the Euros with a calf injury, has undergone successful surgery.
Gerrard added: “He’ll start his rehab now and hopefully we’ll have him back sometime in pre-season.”