Knox hopeful baptism of fire will show Stevie can reiginite hopes of a title tilt
he doesn’t have the managerial experience he will certainly know by this stage how he wants his team to shape up and play. All that will be in place.
“By virtue of his name alone Gerrard is already off to a great start with Rangers.
“However, they have a difficult opening to the season with Aberdeen and Celtic away in their first four league matches. That is a tough start.
“Nobody knows how Gerrard will fare as a manager.
“If the Rangers players can follow his example and have the same determination to succeed as Gerrard had as a player they’re in business.”
Knox watched the former Liverpool midfielder take top billing in the cauldron of the Merseyside derby when in the Everton dugout with Smith.
And he insists Gerrard has helped make Scottish football box office again as he prepares for a Premiership bow at Pittodrie a month today.
The 71-year-old said: “Recruiting a manager of Gerrard’s calibre is a step in the right direction for Rangers.
“People are talking about Scottish football for all the right reasons once more. Aberdeen are a strong team, Hibs under Neil Lennon are going good guns and Hearts have made a lot of signings and will be looking to challenge again.
“Scottish football appears to be on the up and there is lots to be positive about.”
Knox was speaking at the sportscotland Inverclyde National Centre in Largs as he took part in a special showcase exit trial event organised by Ultimate Soccer and Global FC.
The former Manchester United No.2 put 17 players aged between 17 and 27 from the likes of Brazil, France, Greece, Canada and the UK through their paces in the hope of landing a deal.
The group took on St Mirren yesterday and face Morton on Saturday.
It took Knox back to his days working with Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford when he scouted those discarded by clubs at exit trials in
Crewe. But he has only ever seen two youngsters he knew were destined for the top.
He said: “I went on a regular basis as there are hidden gems to be found.
“The boys have grasped the nettle and done very well.
“There is a lad who has travelled from Brazil and that is incredible. Another, Tripy Makonda, has played for PSG and represented France at every youth level while Ahmed Aloulou has played for Scotland at Futsal but never played senior football. People bang on about how you can tell so and so is going to be a player at a very early age. You can’t tell.
“I have only ever known two players to be exceptional at a young age and I knew they would definitely make it – Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney. The rest – the Neville brothers, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Nicky Butt – you couldn’t have said the same for them.”
Visit www.ultimatesoccer. co.uk or the Global Football Consultancy Showcase trial event page on Facebook.