FOLLOW MY LEADERS
Our sides were full of men such as Souness, Butcher, Gough and Smith.. Gerrard has brought that same mentality back to Rangers and it’s exactly what this club needed
When Mark Hateley played for Rangers he didn’t have far to look for inspirational figures.
Whether it was off the pitch, in the shape of legendary gaffers Graeme Souness and Walter Smith.
Or on it, with iconic players such as Terry Butcher, Richard Gough and John Brown.
Those big characters drove the standards every day as the Ibrox club enjoyed an era of trophy- laden success.
Hateley believes that for any big club to progress and win silverware, there has to be a leader. Someone who motivates and influences those around him.
Yet for years during Rangers’ dark days of the last decade, they were devoid of that.
Now Hateley believes they’ve got it back in the shape of big-name boss Steven Gerrard.
The former Ibrox striker always believed he was the right choice – even during two trophyless seasons.
He could see signs that standards were being lifted up to where they were during his time at the club.
Rangers Hall of Fame inductee Hateley was ecstatic to see Gerrard’s side clinch their first Premiership title in 10 years last week.
And he insists the principles the manager has put in place will set them up for sustained success.
Hateley told MailSport: “Steven has said there’s more to come from him and his team. But that’s what you get from a guy like him.
“The way he played, the level he was at – always striving for better. That’s what great leaders do.
“They’re always trying to be bigger, better and stronger than those chasing around you. It was the same during my time at the club.
“The place was full of leaders from Souness to Smith to Gough, Butcher, Brown – guys who strived every week for more.
“That’s why Steven was the ideal candidate for Rangers. He’s inspirational – and that’s what was required at that time.
“With all due respect to those before him, the club hadn’t had that for a while.
“Everyone said Steven lacked experience. But that’s why you get the right guys around you – and he has done that at Ibrox.
“You need a leader who drives everyone else. That’s what Steven does, in terms of the professional standards he sets for himself.
“Back in Souness’ days, the players were suited, booted and cleanshaven every day of the week. Those are standards.
“He believed if you dressed smart, you played smart. And I get a feeling it’s like that now under Steven.”
Hateley had two spells as a Ger and was an integral part of Smith’s nine- in- a- row squad. He later returned as an ambassador during the most turbulent spell in their history after liquidation in 2012.
The 59-year-old has tried to erase that time from his memory.
While the club were a shambles in the hands of people such as
Charles Green, Hateley was somehow trying to represent the Rangers he had known before.
Now he’s so grateful those dark days at the start of their journey back to the top are long gone.
He said: “I would go to games in the lower leagues and try to be an ambassador for the club in a professional manner.
“I’d go into the boardroom at places like Raith Rovers with my club suit and tie on.
“I still wanted Rangers to be looked on in the same way as it would be if playing in the top league.
“You can be professional for the club but it’s not the same when you know the people behind aren’t doing the same. I try to blank a lot of that stuff out, to tell you the truth. But when guys like Green come and speak to you, you look into their eyes.
“I’ve been in the game a long time. I can look in someone’s eyes and feel it right away – good guy or bad guy.
“And with those guys you didn’t need to have a long look.
“I didn’t know where they were going with the club but knew it wasn’t going to be upwards.
“It was a difficult time but it’s well and truly behind Rangers now.
“And what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Hopefully a lot of people in higher places will have learned a lesson from how it’s all panned out.”
■ You can listen to Hateley’s weekly thoughts on Rangers Connection Podcasts where he’s joined by Alex Rae.