DRIVEN BY ENVY
Gerrard will wish it was him lifting the league trophy for Liverpool
KRIS BOYD believes Liverpool’s first title triumph in 30 years will have stirred bittersweet emotions within Steven Gerrard.
Having virtually single-handedly dragged his team to Champions League glory in 2005, the English Premier League was the one big prize that eluded the Anfield icon.
And Boyd says the delight the Rangers manager will have felt at watching skipper successor Jordan Henderson hoist aloft Liverpool’s first league trophy since 1990 would have been offset by a pang of regret that they never managed the feat during his 17 years at the club.
‘Steven Gerrard is a born winner throughout his career and he’s won numerous trophies’, said former Rangers striker Boyd. ‘But when you look at Liverpool winning the title and him watching the celebrations with not having lifted that league title himself, I think there will be a bit of: “I wish that was me!”.
‘But right now he has the opportunity to be the Rangers manager who lifts the title and stops Celtic winning ten in a row.
‘That will be his drive and determination, to stop Celtic dominating Scottish football.
‘Is there a chance he can do that this season? Of course there is. It’s a long season and a lot of things can happen.
‘Will Rangers fancy their chances going into the new season? Yes!
‘It’s not helped by the whole Alfredo Morelos situation (as Lille chase the signature of the Colombian forward).
‘But I’m sure Steven and the rest of the Rangers management staff will look at the season ahead and see an opportunity to go down in history.
‘If they stop Celtic and deliver that 55th title they will always be worshipped by the Rangers fans.
‘But Rangers are going to have to start the season well — and
continue it if they are going to topple Celtic. ‘It will be very difficult but I firmly believe that Rangers have an opportunity to stop Celtic’s domination of Scottish football. But there’s no doubt it is time for Rangers to deliver.’
Rangers kick off their new Premiership season against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday at lunchtime on Sky Sports.
Under normal circumstances, it would not be an occasion for the faint-hearted.
However, with no fans allowed in grounds due to Covid-19, Boyd believes the fixture computer has done Rangers a favour.
‘It’s vitally important that Rangers get off to a good start,’ he continued. ‘I’ve heard people saying teams don’t want to go to Aberdeen and play at Pittodrie.
‘But if I was Steven Gerrard, I would have bitten your hand off to get this game for the first of the new season.
‘Aberdeen find an extra gear in this fixture. Why? Because of the hatred that comes from the stands. That pushes the Aberdeen players on. The players respond to the fans. I’ve played in the game and I’ve seen it. I understand it and I get it.
‘But they won’t be there on Saturday. The stands will be empty and that will definitely play into Rangers’ hands.
‘We’ve seen it down in England too, where the better teams have come out on top.
‘They’re under no pressure from the atmosphere and they get the ball down and play.’
Boyd believes the season starting behind closed doors could also benefit Rangers at Ibrox because it will take away the stifling pressure to perform in front of their own fans.
‘Rangers have a few players right now who could benefit from not having fans in the stadium,’ he said.
‘Look at Joe Aribo, who has been excellent for Rangers in the friendly games I’ve watched. There have been times when I’ve watched him and thought he could maybe sense the fans’ frustration with him.
‘There are other players, too, who can hear the grumblings from the stands and get affected by it. (Rangers captain) James Tavernier has come in for criticism too.
‘I saw it throughout my career that certain players would get away with things while others wouldn’t. Some players are fans’ favourites. That’s football.
‘But you need to learn to deal with that, especially when you’re at a big club like Rangers.
‘You need to learn to live with the crowd if they’re unhappy.
‘Players will say you don’t hear what’s being said from the stands but trust me, you hear it and if you have given the ball away and are a bit scared to get on it next time it can affect your play.
‘But that’s no longer the case with no fans, so it gives these guys the confidence to go and play.
‘And I’m sure if they do that, Rangers will come back down the road from Aberdeen on Saturday with all three points.
‘We might just see in the first few weeks of the season Rangers being quick out of the blocks.
‘There’s no doubt in the first few fixtures Rangers have got better players than the teams they will be up against.
‘So it’s up to them to go and showcase themselves and get the three points on a weekly basis. The last thing they want to do is fall behind early in the season.’
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