RANGERS G-FORCE
Gerrard ready to make Gary McAllister his No2 at Ibrox
STEVEN GERRARD is poised to make former Scotland captain Gary McAllister his right-hand man in a new Rangers management team.
The Liverpool and England legend could be unveiled as the new Ibrox boss as early as next week after director of football Mark Allen led a delegation to meet the Anfield Under-18s coach. Gerrard 1 Aardvark (3,4) 7 Skilful or knowledgeable (6) 8 Abandons ashore (7) 9 Totally engrossed (4) 10 Bird structure (4) 12 Get or gain (7) 14 Shelter for a motor vehicle (7)
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16 Revise (4) 18 Aureole (4) 20 Public sale (7) 21 Light for warning or guiding (6) 22 Scribbles or draws aimlessly (7)
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1 Yearbook (7) 2 Rotates (5) 3 Cupid (4) 4 Show consideration for (7) 5 Hole or opening (8) 6 Suitable (6) 11 Excellent or first class (3-5) 12 Swimming aid (7) 13 Draws out (7) 15 Subsides (6) 17 Training in military exercises (5) 19 Resound (4)
turned down a move into frontline management with MK Dons two years ago but is preparing to accept an offer to pit his wits against his former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers in Glasgow. The 37-year-old will ask former Liverpool team-mate McAllister to join academy right-hand man Tommy Culshaw as part of a backroom team. Capped 59 times by Scotland, former Coventry City and Leeds United boss McAllister was tight-lipped on the prospect of a move to Ibrox last night, telling Sportsmail: ‘I’m not going to say anything on that at the moment.’ As we first revealed, Rangers have secured Burnley midfielder Scott Arfield on a pre-contract agreement, with Scotland goalkeeper Allan McGregor also poised to return to the club after undergoing a medical. Now Gerrard looks set to come on board as manager, despite former interim Rangers boss Stuart McCall believing the club would be taking a huge risk appointing a rookie boss. ‘Steven has a huge reputation and the players would give him huge respect,’ McCall told Sportsmail. ‘I loved him as a player, his attitude and his all-round style and, listening to him on the TV the other night, I liked his intelligence and passion. ‘But is it a job for a rookie with the pressure that will be on next year, and the year after, to stop Celtic getting to ten (titles in a row)? ‘It’s a really difficult job. It puts pressure on you — but, on the flip side, the man who stops Celtic doing ten-in-a-row would be a legend. ‘There is pressure, but it’s also a potentially career-defining moment. ‘The expectation next year will be to build a side which looks like getting nearer to Celtic with a view to two years’ time. ‘He knows Brendan Rodgers well, and will feel he is not only coming up against a manager with greater resources, but also a manager that he respects so highly. ‘He knows how good Brendan is. And he will ask himself: “Do I want to start my managerial career with such a big ask?” ‘To take a job like Rangers at this moment in time, is it right for an inexperienced guy? Not only in terms of management — but also Scottish football and everything that the whole hoo-ha around Rangers and Celtic brings. I’m not sure.’ However, Roy Hodgson, who was Gerrard’s manager at Liverpool, has no doubts that he could handle the job if he takes the reins from caretaker Graeme Murty for next season. ‘(He has) all the qualities a club will be looking for in their manager — honesty, dedication, experience, enthusiasm, intelligence and a deep knowledge of the game,’ said Hodgson. ‘Everyone, when they take on their first job, lacks experience. I would have no doubts about Steven in that role, but I don’t know anything and I haven’t spoken to Steven about it.’