Stubbs ready to face up to a familiar foe...

ALAN Stubbs is his old rival and it pains him to say but the St Mirren manager can admit now that Steven Gerrard was decent as a player.

The pair, who are friends, come from the opposite sides of Liverpool, however, only a few yards will separate then when they stand on the touchline at Ibrox.

Stubbs came up against Gerrard many times in the derby and the leader of the Reds did tend to get the better of him and Everton.

Maybe things will change now both are managers in the Scottish Premiership – something neither of them would have guessed only a few years ago.

“I was sick of the sight of him being honest,” admitted Stubbs about the player voted Liverpool’s second greatest ever after a certain Kenny Dalglish.

“‘ There were times when he single- handedly drove Liverpool over the line.

“In terms of a midfield player he was better than anything I have ever played against and that doesn’t sit well with me saying that as an Everton fan. If he wasn’t the best then he was very close to being the best all- round midfield player in England.

“Liverpool were better than Everton back then. The budgets then were not comparable and Everton have come into a bit more money now.

“It is not about myself and Stevie though but I did enjoy the Merseyside derbies and I am sure he did as well. I enjoyed the occasion and the rivalry of the derbies.

“Stevie was someone who epitomised Liverpool. He always looked like he was up for the challenge.

“He gives me the same sense and impression that he is exactly like that on the touchline as manager.”