Lifting title for Stevie G will get a big weight off my shoulders
When people reflect on Liverpool being pipped to the Premier League title in 2014 their first thought is of Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip.
But the Rangers manager isn’t the only guy at Ibrox who was devastated by the Anfield club narrowly missing out to Manchester City.
As skipper, Gerrard might have been the heartbeat of Brendan Rodgers’ side five years ago.
And his mistake against Chelsea will haunt him – plus every Reds fan on Merseyside – forever. Jon Flanagan is one of them. He wasn’t just a supporter at the time – he was a vital part of Rodgers’ set-up as they closed in on their first title in more than two decades.
Most people forget that the young Scouser was Rodgers’ first pick at left-back most of that season, playing 26 games in the Premier League.
And to this day that failure to land a medal still irritates Flanagan.
Now he’s back alongside Gerrard, albeit in a different scenario at Ibrox.
The team- mate he looked up to at Anfield is now his gaffer.
However, the goal they had at Anfield – to bring domestic success back to a huge club – has similarities to what they face in Glasgow.
Flanagan and Gerrard have that same hunger and passion to win trophies and get Rangers back to being the No.1 team in Scotland – just like it was with Liverpool in 2014.
And the 26-year-old admits that if he can lift the title north of the border, it will go some way to making up for the heartbreak he faced at his boyhood club.
On Thursday night in Denmark, Flanagan played his first game of the campaign for Gers in their 4-2 Europa League win over Midtjylland.
And with one solid, assured, confident display, he jumped ahead of Borna Barisic and Andy Halliday in the queue to be Rangers’ left-back.
Now he’s focused on retaining his place in the league against Hibs at Ibrox this afternoon.
Flanagan said: “I played a lot of games in the season we almost won the league at Liverpool. To lose out was a big disappointment for mysel f and everyone connected to the club.
“Personally, it was a high to go on a run and play for the team I grew up supporting. But to come so close and for it to end like it did – we lost out by just two points – was difficult.
“It wasn’t nice to lose out like that. So you have to store it, push on and go again.
“If we could win the league at Rangers it would certainly salve that a bit in my head and move it on.
“That’s the aim here. It would help make up for what happened at Liverpool.
“That year at Anfield we had a great team spirit. Every week we were fighting for each other and we’ve got that in this group at Rangers.
“We have a lot of talent and we’re all together. There’s a good feeling about it.
“We’ve added to the squad, we’ve more strength in depth. We’ll be stronger this season. And with the squad we’ve got we’ll be better prepared to play in the league and Europe.”
Flanagan is a rare breed of footballer in that he’s a natural right- footed full-back who has played most of his career on the left.
For supporters it can be frustrating watching any player having to cut back on to his preferred side.
Especially at Rangers when they’re
I will play wherever the gaffer wants me – my aim is to stay in the team
attacking teams particularly at home, it can stunt their rhythm.
But for the big games this season – in Europe or against the Premiership’s top six – Flanagan looks like the go-to guy for that position with his defensive attributes, his love of a tackle and ability in one-on-one situations.
The defender says he wants to play in every game this term, no matter what side of the pitch he’s on.
He said: “I’ll play wherever the manager wants me.
“I’m right-footed so probably more comfortable at right- back. But if the manager wants me on the left I’ll happily play there. I have played a lot of my career at left-back already.
“My aim is to stay in the team and perform at a consistent level. Hopefully it’s going to be a successful season so I want to play every minute.
“I feel I made a statement, and staked my claim for left- back, with my performance on Thursday night. The gaffer put me straight back in after injury so I’m just trying to repay him.”
As a Scouser, Flanagan was able to settle easily in Glasgow and you get the feeling nothing wi l l faze him in Scotland’s top flight.
He said: “I’m enjoying it here and have been made welcome by everyone. I’m buzzing to be at Rangers. It’s similar to Liverpool in terms of the club’s demands and the huge fanbase.
“You can’t take your foot off the gas here at all.
“There are a few Scousers here now and it’s nice coming to a place where you know a few people already. That has made things easier for me.
“I can also see what it means to the manager to be here at Rangers – and what it would mean to be successful.
“Everyone knows he’s a winner and he has brought that to this group. That’s everyone’s goal this season.”