HESKEY BACKS OLD PAL TO BE A BIG HIT
EMILE HESKEY has backed Steven Gerrard to follow Neil Lennon’s route to Old Firm success if he accepts the huge task of rebuilding Rangers. The Liverpool and England legend yesterday met Ibrox chiefs in London for a further round of talks and an agreement for him to take the reins has been reached in principle. The 37-year-old has only coached the kids at Anfield since hanging up his boots following an illustrious career with the Reds and a swansong at LA Galaxy. But Heskey, who played with Gerrard for four years at Liverpool, pointed to his former Leicester team-mate Lennon who made a similar step from Celtic reserve team coach to the Hoops hotseat after Tony Mowbray was axed. Lennon went on to lift five major trophies at Celtic and shocked European football when he led the club to a Champions League win over Barcelona. He’s now proving a success at Hibs as they battle for the Premiership runners-up spot in their first season back in the top flight after leading them to promotion. Heskey, who also played under Lennon for two years at Bolton when the Northern Irishman left Parkhead, believes his dugout success is proof of what Gerrard can achieve. The 40-year-old told Record Sport: “It would be a massive jump for Steven to manage Rangers and you need belief in yourself to do something like that.
“But Neil did it at Celtic and he was fantastic – and he came down to Bolton and did well considering the problems we had off the pitch.
“Now he’s gone to Hibs and has done very well again. I can see Steven making a similar jump. Neil’s situation is slightly different because he was Celtic through and through and coached at the club after being a player.
“He knew everything about the club and who was ready to come through from the youth set-up. Steven is going a little bit more into the unknown.
“I’m guessing an ambition of Stevie’s is to manage Liverpool eventually. It’s a huge challenge for any manager and if you’re not up for it don’t go into it.
“We all know what the Old Firm derby is about and it’s wonderful. Celtic are on top with Brendan Rodgers so it will be the teacher and the student scenario with Steven having played under him.
“But we’ve seen the student win before when you think of the number of Sir Alex Ferguson’s former pupils who managed to put one over him on occasions.
“It’s all about getting that experience and you need a good team around you. You are the leader of the ship but you might not need to coach that much – you might just need to be mentally strong for the players.
“Rangers aren’t going through the best of times but have good players and will sign good players. It’s about getting the best out of those players.
“I believe he’s got the ability to do that but he’s still to put it into practice. It’s one thing talking about it but you have to do it.
“I played football for a long time and know the mental side of it. It’s the single biggest thing at times.
“There will be players who look up to him because of what he achieved but you still need to get those players to play.”
Gerrard is set to appoint former Scotland captain and ex-Liverpool teammate Gary McAllister as his assistant.
Heskey reckons that would be a shrewd move having played with them both.
And he believes the former Scotland captain will know how to get the best out of young players plus provide some muchneeded experience from his time in charge at Leeds and Aston Villa.
He said: “It’s vital Steven gets people around him. McAllister could be to Stevie what Garry Parker has been to Neil.
“Gary was great for me and for other players. At Liverpool he came in as a 35-year-old but was still one of the fittest in the squad.
Heskey: Gerrard can go onwards and upwards just like Neil has
“He could still get up and down the park – McAllister was an inspiration to the younger lads.
“He’s had managerial jobs and coached at the highest level so he’ll be a huge help. When Steven’s name first got mentioned I was a bit surprised because he hasn’t been in coaching for long but I understand why.
“He’s got the attributes to be a top manager but he’ll need good people around him because it’s his first job. However, as a leader there is nobody better.
“He doesn’t shirk responsibility and leads from the front. That’s what he was like as a player. You know from the start with certain players and Steven had that, Michael Owen too.
“Not everyone has that but he did and I saw that early on then when he became captain. That can be a heavy burden but others rise to the occasion and take it in their stride. He was one of those players.”