Gers should be wary of moves for Gerrard
Football these days isn’t about who’s bigger. It’s about who’s richer.
That’s why Rangers fans should be worried about Newcastle United being linked with Steven Gerrard.
The Magpies are already loaded with Premier League cash.
But after months of negotiations, I hear owner Mike Ashley is willing to sell to Emirati billionaire Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
He is a relative of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour, and failed with a £2-billion buy-out of Liverpool last year.
It won’t cost him anything like that to take charge at St James’ Park.
But if that’s how things play out, it’s likely to mean more cash for whoever he hands the manager’s job to.
I’ve heard the rumours about Jose Mourinho stepping in.
They could have substance, especially if there’s money from the Middle East about to flood into the club.
But it really depends on what sort of appointment the new owner wants to make. He might see Jose as a busted flush. He might be thinking a young, up-andcomer like Stevie G is the right way to go.
If that’s the case, Rangers will probably find themselves outgunned.
I’ve been in Spain over the past week, so I haven’t been listening to my radio show.
But I know Ally McCoist was on the other day arguing that Rangers are a bigger club than Newcastle United.
I can understand where my pal’s coming from.
In terms of global support, I’d imagine the Gers are significantly bigger than United.
In terms of history, there’s not even a sensible comparison to be made.
But there are also plenty of similarities between the clubs.
They both pack out their grounds with 50,000 fans for every single match, those fans are absolutely fanatical, and both clubs are longing for success.
In terms of history, there’s not even a sensible comparison between Rangers and Newcastle
Steven Gerrard was quick enough to shoot down a link with the Derby County job after it emerged Frank Lampard was a target for Chelsea.
I can understand that completely.
But Newcastle United are a different prospect.
OK, they have been up and down between the Premier League and the Championship a few times under Mike Ashley, but I’d still describe them as an established Premier League club.
They have got everything in place to push on and become serious contenders – apart from an owner with a willingness to spend money.
If that changes, they’ll become a very attractive proposition for every top manager in the world.
Under those circumstances, if Steven Gerrard is approached and told: ‘Come here and we’ll give you £150-million to spend’, there’s no way on earth he could turn it down. But whether it happens remains to be seen. There’s every chance – in fact, it’s probably more likely than not – that Stevie will stay at Rangers at least until the end of the season.
But there’s no way he’d be able to turn down a serious offer from a Premier League club.
That’s where he wants to manage – preferably at Liverpool.
Yet Newcastle United, or a club of that size, could provide him with the perfect stepping stone.
As big a club as Rangers are, I think they’d struggle to hang on to their boss if such an opportunity came his way.