Stevie G’s going to be great NORTHERN IRELAND STRIKER LAFFERTY’S LOVING WORKING WITH LEGEND GERRARD

KYLE LAFFERTY last night insisted Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has all the tools to become as big a superstar IN the dugout as he was on the park.

In a revealing interview the Northern Ireland striker revealed he’s been highly impressed by the former Liverpool hero since making his return from Hearts a few weeks ago.

Lafferty won multiple trophies in his first spell at the club between

2008 and 2012 before leaving for

Sion.

Spells at Norwich, in Italy and in Turkey followed before he made his way back to Scotland with the Jambos last year.

His time at Tynecastle was a roaring success – netting in the 4-0 win that ended Celtic’s 69-game unbeaten run and then following up this season with a winner against the Hoops.

Last month he made a dream move back to Rangers to join the Gerrard revolution and the 30-year-old is loving every second of it – and claims there’s belief in dressing room that title No.55 is just around the corner. He said: “Steven is pretty impressive. He’s a young manager and, from what I’ve seen, he’s going to be the next big thing. “The way he speaks and puts things across to the squad is impressive. For any young manager looking to go into coaching or managing you just need to look at him. “And his training is tough. He was a player that, whatever way he trained on the park he took it into games and he is trying to get that across to the lads. Training is really good and it’s going to be good times for Rangers.”

The Ibrox side suffered their first defeat under Gerrard on Sunday, going down 1-0 to Celtic, who are already four points clear of their Old Firm rivals in the Premiership after four games.

Lafferty concedes Brendan Rodgers’ men were the better team but feels the gap is closing and Rangers players have faith they can make a title challenge this term. He said: “It will be tough. Celtic have been champions for many years but we now have a squad that can compete. Sunday was a disappointing result but with travelling and playing 38 minutes with nine men in Russia was tough for us.

“There’s going to be no excuses for the performance we’ve put in. Celtic were probably the better team but we’re on a good road now and a good path and we’re going to kick on and we’ll be much closer to them.

“Everyone in the Rangers dressing room believes that we’ll get 55 and that this will be the year we’ll win the league.

“We’ll just keep on working hard on the training ground. We have the Europa League as well so the games will come thick and fast and it’s a good place to be. I couldn’t be happier to be a Rangers player.”

Lafferty is delighted Northern Ireland team-mate Gareth Mcauley (inset) has now joined him at Ibrox.

He said: “When I heard he was coming I texted him to say ‘please tell me it’s true’ because I know what type of player he is.

“He’s an experienced player and he scores goals as well. The Scottish league will be perfect for him. He’s a Rangers fan and he’s another player the gaffer has brought in who knows what it means to himself, his family and the fans to put on the blue jersey.”

KYLE LAFFERTY continues to help others with gambling problems almost one year after being clean from his addiction.The Rangers striker opened up about his issues last year when he was a Hearts player.Since then he has been inundated with support from across football and received messages from other footballers and fans who have been going through the same ordeal.Lafferty has tried to help them whatever way he can and said: “I thought long and hard about coming out. If I didn’t there was always going to be ways of me betting and gambling.“It was the right moment. I was at a club (Hearts) which was willing to support me. “Austin Mcphee (left) was there which has been magnificent for me and still is. On the 11th I’ll be a year clean so it’s good. “When I first came out I wanted to help people. I didn’t want sympathy but to help others and help myself.” GERS GOING PLACES Kyle Lafferty is convinced Steven Gerrard will bring back the good times to Ibrox SUPPORT Lafferty got plenty of backing at Hearts after admission