Souness was pumped up in 86... Gerrard will be same
Tortolano expects tough start for Gers boss
BY GAVIN BERRY STEVEN GERRARD faces a baptism of fire just like Graeme Souness in 1986 – but Joe Tortolano reckons he’ll do well to avoid following the Ibrox icon’s madcap start.
It’s 32 years since Souey travelled to Easter Road on an unforgettable opening day as his Rangers revolution started with a 2-1 defeat to Hibs.
The player-boss was red-carded after leaving George McCluskey with blood streaming from his leg and referee Mike Delaney booked all 21 players involved in the resulting rammy.
It was an early warning for Souness that he and the English superstars he brought north of the border wouldn’t get it easy with Steve Cowan earning Hibs victory after Ally McCoist’s penalty cancelled out Stuart Beedie’s opener.
For Easter Road in 1986, read Pittodrie 2018. There is similar excitement in the Gers ranks that Gerrard can drag them out of the doldrums in the same way Souness did.
But former Hibs defender Tortolano, who played in that famous game, believes the Scouser is in for a similar welcome.
He said: “Fans of both clubs will want to say they were there for Gerrard’s first league game as Rangers manager, just as they did with Souness.
“It might not be as eventful as that day but you just never know. When Aberdeen and Rangers meet anything can happen.
“It will be really exciting to see and the atmosphere will be brilliant. Souness got a culture shock at Easter Road and realised that everyone was going to get in their faces and stop them playing.
“Gerrard played in massive games as a player but so had Souness and he will find out at Pittodrie what pressure as a manager is all about.
“He can’t pull the boots on - although he looks like he could – so it’s different but it will be the same in terms of worldwide interest.
“You would never have thought Gerrard would be the Rangers manager but he’s up here, he’s a massive name and world famous.
“He’s another Souness in terms of his aura and stature and, like Hibs in 1986, Aberdeen will be fired up to spoil his first domestic game in charge.”
JOE TORTOLANO