Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Kettlewell singing the praises of Gerrard – but tomorrow night it’s ‘war’
LIKE most young midfielders, Stuart Kettlewell grew up idolising Steven Gerrard as the ultimate role model.
Tomorrow night, for 90 minutes at least, he will regard the Rangers manager coldly and unemotionally simply as “the enemy”.
It was t he words of another Premier League legend, Roy Keane, that chimed most with the Ross County co-manager this week.
Keane, as television pundit, raged at Liverpool and Manchester United players “hugging and kissing” in the Old Trafford tunnel before a ball was kicked.
Kettlewell, who was a teenage amateur with Queen’s Park as Gerrard soared on to the English scene, knows he and his players can’t afford to be star-struck, deferential or welcoming tomorrow evening.
Gerrard arrives with a
Rangers side hungry for points to keep pace on Celtic. Kettlewell wants County, sixth in the table, to be just as ruthless and ravenous for points.
The Staggies co-manager said: “Of course, we’ve all got respect for what someone like Steven Gerrard has achieved in the game.
“I’m no different from any other central midfielder growing up and watching television. Steven Gerrard was the pinnacle of playing that position.
“We probably all heard Roy Keane last weekend for the Manchester United against Liverpool match. I’m not into all that cuddling and kissing people before games.
“You’re going to war. “You want three points for your football club. I believe you’re cheating everybody if you stand there and admire your opponent and start cuddling your opponent, offering handshakes.”