Gerrard: I’m on my way to Gers
Murty sacked as Gerrard admits:
STEVEN GERRARD last night confirmed he has held “positive” talks with Rangers about becoming boss.
But he’s set to make Ibrox chiefs sweat until the end of the week.
The Liverpool legend is the No.1 target for Gers and the club have stepped up the chase following yesterday’s decision to axe gaffer Graeme Murty.
TV pundit Gerrard was on Champions League TV duty for BT Sport last night.
And he jetted out to Rome today ahead of his old club’s semi-final with Roma tonight. The former
England captain is due back in the country tomorrow to resume negotiations and Record Sport understands Rangers are expecting a decision by the weekend.
Gerrard kept his cards close to his chest but said: “There’s truth in the rumours. I’ve held initial talks with Rangers and the plan is to pick them up in a couple of days’ time.
“I’ve held positive talks with them. I’m busy for the next couple of days but I’ll pick it up on Thursday and see if I can progress with it.”
Rangers remain hopeful the Anfield great will agree to lead the Ibrox rebuilding mission but sources at the club slapped down suggestions the Scouse hero had already agreed a three-year deal.
Gerrard is considering his next move while outgoing Murty will take time out before deciding if his future as a coach remains at Rangers.
The Ibrox board sacked the under-fire coach yesterday morning from his position as first-team manager but his role as boss of the Under-20s remains open.
Rangers have now turned to assistant Jimmy Nicholl and first-team coach Jonatan Johansson and handed them a mandate to qualify for Europe with three league fixtures still to play.
Rangers moved to axe Murty from a post he was handed last December until the end of the season after stepping into the breach following the departure of Pedro Caixinha.
After two damaging defeats to Celtic in recent weeks, in a humiliating 9-0 aggregate in the Premiership and Scottish Cup, directors finally concluded senior players had stopped responding to Murty’s management.
Murty was anguished after Sunday’s 5-0 defeat at Parkhead, which saw Celtic clinch seven titles in a row, and Nicholl and Johansson will now make one final push for Europa League qualification.
A statement from Rangers said: “Graeme Murty has been relieved of his duties as manager of Rangers.
“Jimmy Nicholl and Jonatan Johansson will take charge of the team for the three remaining matches of the season.
“Rangers are grateful to Graeme, who did not hesitate when asked last October to become interim manager.
“Graeme has had to contend with difficult and challenging circumstances but conducted himself in a professional manner.”