ANFIELD PROMISE... DON’T RUSH HIM

points ahead of their old rivals when lifting their eighth successive title last season.

But the gap going into today’s Old Firm game at Parkhead is just three points. And Rangers have a game in hand.

Even in the context of football’s most partisan rivalry this is a huge occasion.

Stevie will be desperate to prevent Celtic from equalling the nine-in-a-row title record currently held by both Glasgow clubs. He’ll be just as determined to become the first Rangers manager for nine years to lift one of Scotland’s major trophies.

The Old Firm encounters could be decisive on both counts.

It was two wins apiece last season. But Celtic were 2-0 winners at Ibrox in September and edged a tight League Cup final 1-0 just a few weeks ago.

Moving to Glasgow 18 months ago was a huge statement of how much Stevie believes in his ability to be a top manager.

He could have continued working with Liverpool’s youth team, confident of further opportunities under Klopp.

But perhaps he saw Ryan Giggs stay too long at Old Trafford before he left to try and prove himself as a boss.

So far, Stevie’s work in Glasgow has been impressive. I certainly see a day when he returns to Anfield as manager.

Klopp has signed a contract until 2024 – when it just so happens that Stevie’s deal with Rangers will expire.

Liverpool supporters already believe that is more than just coincidence, but I’m not so sure.

No Liverpool fan will want to see Stevie back too soon – not with a certain German making all their sweetest dreams come true.