Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Stevie hard enough for tough Gers task
STEVEN GERRARD has revealed the “tough” schooling he received on the streets of Huyton has been perfect preparation for the hard knocks of an Old Firm title fight.
The Rangers boss is not lacking in passion and commitment, saying that his players must be “all in” for him and the team, as he drives his side towards his first title in Scotland.
And Gerrard insisted the preparation for such an intense duel with Celtic was forged on the streets where he grew up in a neighbourhood of Liverpool.
“I think the area where I grew up certainly helped me prepare for what I would eventually get to,” he said.
“There were lots and lots of tough kids on the council estate who wanted to play football every single day, and were game for the competitive side of it.
“I’ve got an older brother, two-and-a-half years older, who was very competitive as well, and pushed me around a bit, let’s say.
“He liked to get the better of me, for many, many years growing up. So I think that upbringing helped me get to the top, for sure – 100 per cent.”
Gerrard also had some tough knocks at Liverpool, the worst being that infamous slip back in 2014 against Chelsea – as the Reds missed out on the title (below left) – something he admits still “lives with him” now, but which also drives him on in his job as manager.
“The Chelsea episode in 2014 was a real, brutal, cruel, low in my life, which still lives with me today. I don’t know whether it gave me extra determination or something,” said Gerrard (in action in 2001, below right) on the High Performance Podcast with Jake
Humphrey and Professor Damien Hughes. “From my experience, I think sometimes failure helps you to become better.
“I still think now part of me is chasing more highs, and I want to work hard for them highs, because I still think more of the lows.
“Sometimes, a low or bad time or disappointment can be the catalyst, and the trigger to something really, really amazing.
“So now, when you’re representing Rangers, you know what it means, and I do see opportunities to have more highs, buzzes, and adrenaline rushes. I want to go and achieve.”
The High Performance Podcast with Jake Humphrey and Professor Damian Hughes is available every Monday on