READY TO ROLL
On his first day in the Rangers job, Gerrard puts his plan in place
STEVEN GERRARD admits he is ‘absolutely desperate’ to get going as Rangers manager and progress his plans to improve the club. The Liverpool legend formally begins a four-year contract today, having been unveiled at Ibrox on May 4. Gerrard was in the south of France yesterday to watch Portugal Under-19s play Japan U21s at the Toulon Tournament, remaining at the venue to take in Canada’s subsequent encounter with Turkey. One player on show already known to him was 18-year-old Canadian forward Liam Millar, who is part of the Liverpool youth set-up. The 38-year-old is expected to undertake further club business in the coming days
before returning to Glasgow next week. Rangers will then step up preparations for next season by heading to Spain on June 17 for a ten-day training camp. Gerrard has been in regular contact with Ibrox director of football Mark Allen since his appointment and is confident that planning will soon bear fruit. Speaking to the Rangers website last night, Gerrard said: ‘Tomorrow, June 1, is the day I have been waiting for and I am absolutely desperate to get started officially in my role as the manager of Rangers Football Club. ‘Just saying that excites and motivates me so much. ‘Although the players won’t report back from their breaks until later this month, I am looking forward to meeting them and also welcoming some new faces to this fantastic club. ‘Along with Mark (Allen) and my backroom team, we have already been working on our plans and strategy for the new season. We know what we want to achieve and we also know what will be required to meet the challenges ahead, but we will be ready. ‘Having already taken the opportunity to assess our Auchenhowie base and also facilities at Ibrox, we are focusing now on being ready for our first real challenge, a Europa League qualifying tie in early July. ‘We need to give the players every chance to perform at their best as often as possible because that is what fans demand — and rightly so. I must say that I have already had such a warm welcome from supporters across the world and this has served to confirm my belief that it’s the fans who make this football club great. ‘Everything we do will be for them. It’s time now… let’s go.’ Gerrard remains keen to land Brighton centre-back Connor Goldson, with two bids having already been rejected.