FROM A HERO TO GERS FANS TO A VILLAN
LET’S face it, Rangers supporters have every reason to be annoyed with Steven Gerrard.
They always knew he’d move back to England at some stage but he disappeared pretty much like a thief in the night.
On social media, one supporter referred to him as an “absolute snake”.
A bit strong but Gerrard is certainly one thing – and that is absolutely driven.
The Aston Villa job was too good an opportunity to turn down.
Immediately after the news, a predictable debate followed. Are Rangers a bigger club than Villa?
John Hartson suggested “Rangers would fit Aston Villa in their back pocket.”
Considering Aston Villa are a European Cup-winning club, that must be some back pocket. But the debate is spurious.
Where there is no argument is that Gerrard is moving to a bigger league, one several levels above the Scottish Premiership.
No one should underestimate the stature of Rangers but Gerrard has moved to Aston Villa because, even at this early stage of his managerial career, he wants to test himself against the best.
Against Pep Guardiola, Thomas Tuchel and, yes, against Jurgen Klopp.
Will it feel odd when Gerrard leads his team out at Anfield on December 11?
A little, perhaps. But no odder than when Kenny
Dalglish led opposition teams out at Anfield.
When Gerrard reflects on the incredible service he gave to Liverpool as a player, he will always think about what might have happened had he made a move to a rival European giant, here or abroad.
And he will not allow his managerial career to be defined by the idea that all roads lead back to Liverpool.
Gerrard is too singleminded for that. Already, the Aston Villa post is being referred to as a “stepping stone” for Gerrard.
Firstly, that is a heinous insult. We are talking about Aston Villa here, a founder member of the Football League, with seven league titles and seven FA Cups to go with that European Cup.
We are talking about a century and a half of history.
Secondly, it should go without saying that Gerrard will not see it as some sort of staging post on a journey back to Liverpool.
He is joining a club with a great fanbase, a grand stadium, a decent squad and ambitious owners.
Those ambitions will be shared by Gerrard.
Villa are getting one of the most determined, professional characters in recent football history.
No wonder those Rangers fans are annoyed.
In managerial terms, Gerrard is still a rookie but, while Dean Smith was hard done by, this is an inspired appointment.