LET’S GO AGAIN
King insists Gerrard won’t walk away after sealing historic title
DAVE KING insists titlewinning Steven Gerrard won’t walk away from Rangers after ending their decade-long wait to become champions of Scotland.
The former chairman – who put the cogs of the title success in motion by employing Gerrard three years ago – is adamant the Liverpool legend will want to build on his success and prove he’s no one-season wonder.
Gerrard has constantly been linked with jobs south of the border as his stock has gone up at Ibrox.
But after tasting success in Govan and ending Celtic’s bid for a historic 10th successive title, King is confident Gerrard – who
signed a new deal at Ibrox two years ago tying him down until 2024 – is going nowhere.
He said: “Steven extended his contract with Rangers knowingly and willingly to achieve what he wants to achieve.
“And he’s got a lot to achieve at this club before he moves on.
“Winning this title has been fantastic but we all know how quickly the few weeks will go past and it’ll be defending the title.
“Steven, in terms of his personal motivation and growth, is really looking forward to defending the title and establishing Rangers as being, not a one-season wonder but as the top team in Scotland.”
After tying up the title with six games to go, Rangers still have designs on success in Europe and the Scottish Cup.
And it’s the prospect of regular continental football King reckons that will appeal most to Gerrard, who led Liverpool to Champions League glory as captain 16 years ago.
On the Essential Scottish Football Podcast, he said: “Why would he leave Rangers? You know we can get into Champions League, we’re playing European football, he’s loving winning trophies.
“Why would he leave that and go to manage a Championship side, bottom-end Premier League side?
“I also don’t think he’s the type of person who enters into a contract to extend with Rangers as he did and he’ll walk away from that contract. It’s just not the man as I know him to be.”
Gerrard, speaking after Saturday’s win over St Mirren, indicated he’s in it for the long haul. He told Rangers TV: “I want more,
“I’m hungry for more and I hope my players share that. If they do, it’s exciting times to be a Rangers fan.
“Since I was a young lad I just want success and I want to win. I want to win football matches and I want to have moments like that in the dressing room. That’s what it is all about.
“It’s been an emotional day, arriving here and seeing the scenes. It was an incredible feeling. This club have been to hell and back over the past 10 years.
“I’ve only been part of it for three but I can certainly relate. I’ve got that feeling and that affection with the fans – and I know what they’ve been through.
“The star is the team. There is no ego in the team. There’s a lot of fearless young players and some real calm heads. We’ve got the balance spot-on.
“That doesn’t mean we’re set. We need to keep moving it forwards and improve things and we will.”