Ibrox boss dismisses Newcastle speculation

Steven Gerrard is looking forward to Steve Bruce reaching the 1,000th game of his managerial career as he distanced himself from Newcastle speculation.

Pressure on Toon boss Bruce has increased since the club's Saudi Arabian-funded takeover, with Rangers manager Gerrard mentioned among several others as a possible replacement.

While Newcastle, second bottom in the Premier League, get set to play Tottenham tomorrow, Gerrard's cinch Premiership leaders are preparing for the visit of secondplaced Hearts today.

Asked about being linked with the Magpies, the Gers boss, inset, said: “I don’t really react, or get involved in any kind of speculation.

“Especially when there is someone who I have the utmost respect for sitting in that job that the speculation is about.

“For me, I am in a very big job here that I am fully focused on and we have a top-of-the-table clash at the weekend and it is a game I am very much looking forward to.

“But I certainly have one eye on Newcastle in terms of Brucie getting his 1,000th game, a great character of the game, someone whom I have a personal relationship with and the utmost respect for.

“I am looking forward to seeing him getting his 1,000th game, I think it is a massive achievement, so congratulations to him.”

Asked if he had any sympathy for Bruce, the former Liverpool and England captain said: “I think the character that Steve is, I don’t think he would want anyone to have sympathy for him or feel sorry for him.

“I wouldn’t like people to be speculating about my job, so I certainly won’t be getting involved in speculation towards his.

“I think it is interesting what is happening at Newcastle, if anyone deserves a break it’s the Geordie fans, so I am sure the excitement levels are very high down on the Toon.

“Obviously everyone connected with the game is looking in with interest to see how that develops, but from a personal point of view I don't really get involved in speculation and I wish Bruce all the best.”

Rangers are one point clear of Robbie Neilson’s Hearts – who are unbeaten on their return to the Premiership, after being demoted when the league was called off early in 2020 due to Covid – and Gerrard is glad to see them back. He said: “Firest and foremost, if you love the game and love football like I do, I am very pleased to see Hearts back in the top league, because I thought they were very unfairly treated during the Covid days.

“But this is a game about us and my focus has been on us.”