Souey could sign stars... that’s why a Gerrard title triumph tops 1987 flag win
SAYS MARK WALTERS
MARK WALTERS says bringing title glory to Ibrox would be an even bigger achievement for Steven Gerrard than Graeme Souness in his Rangers revolution. Gerrard is looking to win the club’s first Premiership in nine years – something Souness managed in his maiden season after Rangers had gone the same length of time without lifting the league trophy.
But Walters reckons the fact Souness was still playing and had cash to splash on proven England internationals, while Gerrard is battling against the odds and a huge financial gulf to rivals Celtic, would make it a greater feat for the current gaffer.
Souness signed Terry Butcher, Chris Woods and Graham Roberts to help him win the league in 1987 – the club’s first since 1978.
Walters followed the next season along with Trevor Francis with Gary Stevens and Trevor Steven coming later as Souey picked up seven trophies, leaving them on the brink of a fourth title in five years when he answered Liverpool’s call.
The emotional pull of a return to Anfield where he earned legendary status as a player was too strong and many are tipping Gerrard to follow the same path at the club where he spent 17 years and a spell as a youth coach before Ibrox called.
But Walters says that dream chance – Gerrard’s deal expires in 2024 when Jurgen Klopp’s ends at the Reds – could hinge on him winning silverware at Ibrox.
The 55-year-old former winger admitted the club have made huge strides during Gerrard’s 20 months at the helm which included a first win at Parkhead in nine years last month to put them right in the title hunt.
But Walters knows he needs something tangible for his work and said: “If Steven wins the league then it would eclipse what Graeme achieved.
“When you pay big money for players it’s rare you have to develop them as they’re standard quality players but if you are buying, with all due respect, lesser players then you’ve got more to do.
“You’ve got to improve them more so having players with less ability and improving them to win trophies is a bigger achievement.
“Graeme was also still playing which made a big difference because you know the idiosyncrasies of some players, if their heart is in it and when things go wrong if they’ll step up.
“When you’re not playing you sometimes need to get someone else’s opinion on whether they’re ready for the battle so if Gerrard was a world-class player – and could probably still do it now based on the charity games I’ve watched him in – he’d definitely improve things. “So it’s been more difficult for him than it was for Graeme but it’s very important he wins something because, while things have improved and gone fantastically well thus far, a club like Rangers must lift trophies and coming second isn’t an option.
“The first one is always important which is why I was a bit disappointed when he didn’t win the Betfred Cup Final and they need to win the next competition they can win.
“There are definitely similarities between Souness and Gerrard.
“I’m not surprised that Steven’s done well but in terms of managing Liverpool long-term, first and foremost, he needs to prove himself at Rangers.
“That means winning trophies. He’s done brilliantly but you get judged by how many trophies there are.
“Obviously Jurgen is managing the world champions at the moment so I don’t see him leaving for now. But long-term, possibly.
“Liverpool fans love Gerrard still to this day so he will be a definite option whenever Klopp decides to leave and it would enhance his chances if he won something with Rangers.”
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