NEW GERS MANAGER ‘MUST BE GIVEN TIME’

FORMER Rangers assistant manager Andy Watson says that new boss Steven Gerrard must be given time to turn the club around, claiming that a magician couldn’t cut the gap to Celtic during this summer’s transfer window.

Watson, who helped Alex McLeish deliver a Treble t o Ibrox back in the 2002/03 season, is excited by what Liverpool legends Gerrard and assistant manager Gary McAllister can achieve at Rangers, but he has urged patience from the Ibrox support as excitement builds around their appointment. The 58-year-old is certain that the duo will significantly

strengthen the Rangers team, and he is intrigued to see what signings they can pull out of the hat after securing Scott Arfield and Allan McGregor already for next term.

But he is under no illusions over how difficult it will be for the Ibrox side mounting a title challenge given the gap in quality that has to be bridged to champions Celtic.

“It is a wonderful appointment by the club getting Steven Gerrard and Gary in, and I can see why it has generated so much excitement,” Watson said.

“On the other hand, I think that everybody has to show some level of patience, and there has to be a recognition of the gulf at this given time between Rangers and Celtic. That goes for both the playing side and the financial side.

“A magician couldn’t go into Ibrox at the minute and make it right, so he’s got to be given time to put his thoughts and ideas across and build up players. That can’t just happen in one window.”

While being realistic about what Gerrard can ultimately achieve over the course of next season at Rangers, Watson backed the former England captain to restore the winning mentality to the club that has been sorely lacking over the past two seasons.

And he thinks that Gerrard’s standing, as well as that of former Scotland skipper McAllister, will help the new Rangers management team handle the pressure and expectation that comes with being the manager of such a massive club.

“They are used to winning, so they will take that philosophy in with them,” he said.

“I think the fact that they have the experiences and pressures of being at a top club like Liverpool, both have captained their countries, they have been through so much and the all of the pressures that go with that.”