NO MESSING ABOUT
Steve swapping cushy TV role for heat of Old Firm battle shows he has guts to sort out Ibrox chaos – Redknapp
HARRY REDKNAPP reckons Steven Gerrard is inheriting a mess at Rangers but believes the new manager has what it takes to resolve it.
The English football legend believes the Liverpool hero is showing the necessary guts and desire for management by taking on such a challenging first job.
Gerrard’s Ibrox arrival and the appointment of Rednapp’s nephew Frank Lampard at Derby has sparked criticism about untried bosses walking into big jobs.
Cynics believe it’s unfair for former top players to saunter into high-profile managerial positions without doing their apprenticeships at lower-league clubs.
However, Redknapp believes the multi-millionaire ex-England teammates are proving they’ve lost none of their passion, dedication and ambition for the game by swapping the TV studios for the dugout.
Gerrard has given up a cosy number as a BT Sport pundit and academy coaching role at Liverpool’s Melwood training base.
He has thrust himself into the heat of the Glasgow spotlight and taken on the massive task of trying to dethrone old Reds manager Brendan Rodgers from the top of Scottish football.
Redknapp believes that speaks volumes for Gerrard’s attitude as he follows in the footsteps of Anfield greats Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish.
They both overcame a lack of managerial experience to become top bosses and the 71-year-old’s tipping Gerrard to do the same by sorting out the chaos at Ibrox.
He said: “Stevie was the most fantastic footballer. He knows the game. These boys don’t have to go to work. They are wealthy boys.
“They could play golf all day if they want but they stay in the game because they love it and want to be involved.
“Stevie’s got a great gig with the TV working for BT Sport and won’t be struggling to live but football is what he loves and he’ll want to go in there full on looking to give of his best.
“There’s every chance if he gets backing he needs he can make a success of the job.
“Stevie was a great player but he’s also a very intelligent guy. Rangers and Celtic are massive clubs. One is in great shape at the moment with what Brendan has done and the other one has been in a mess.
“Every managerial appointment is a gamble but there is only one way for Rangers to go and that is up.
“It’s a great opportunity and it is a bold move for Stevie too. I’m sure
he would have had plenty of offers along the line but he obviously sees it is a big chance.
“I spoke to Stevie a few months ago and told him he had a great head start because of the player that he was.
“Frank and John Terry are also guys who understand football. These are not people who have picked up the game reading books or on a computer, they have been in the heat of the battle. They understand the game.
“They haven’t spent the last 20 years with their eyes closed. It’s a great move for Rangers – they have a great chance with Stevie now taking over.
“We talk about people going into management. Graeme at Rangers, Kenny when he went in at Liverpool.
“So many lads have gone in and taken jobs on, even back in those days as player-managers. The most important thing you need is good players.
“The other side suggests you should start lower down but your first job is the most important job.
“If you take the wrong job and don’t make it in the first one people will say you are not a manager. A great player but not a manager.
“Bobby Moore took charge of Southend. He was probably the greatest player that England ever had.
“He went there when they were struggling, no money, no good players, no chance. It was an impossible job yet suddenly he wasn’t a manager.
“If he’d taken over at West Ham at that time he might have become the best manager that club ever had, who knows?”
Gerrard, of course, is going to have to learn as he goes along.
Assistant manager Gary McAllister will offer great experience, while coaches such as Michael Beale, Tom Culshaw and Jordan Milsom are also set to enter Ibrox to provide valuable input.
But if ex-West Ham, Portsmouth, Spurs and QPR boss Redknapp could give Gerrard any advice it’s to be his own man.
He added: “Do it your way. Be yourself. Stand and fall by your own decisions.”
With Gerrard in position and Rodgers running riot over the past two seasons the stage is set for exciting 2018-19 season.
Aberdeen, Hibs and Hearts are also looking to get stronger but Redknapp is adamant it will be about the Glasgow giants.
And he believes a straight shootout between the Old Firm will be a huge boost for Scottish football.
Redknapp said: “Celtic and Rangers are two of the great football clubs in the world.
“Anywhere you go you’ll find Rangers and Celtic fans. If Stevie can pick them out of that mess and get Rangers closer to Celtic and pushing, it’s going to be fantastic for the club and him.”
This is a great move for Rangers – they have a great chance with Stevie taking over HARRY REDKNAPP