STEVIE WON’T BE TEMPTED
FROM BACK PAGE skipper wasn’t surprised to see bookies install the Liverpool legend as one of the frontrunners to replace Steve Bruce in the wake of the takeover which has made the Magpies the wealthiest club on the planet.
While Bruce clings onto his position ahead of Sunday’s clash with Spurs, it’s expected that the appointment of a new manager is still a priority for the super rich Saudi owners.
But Ferguson suspects they’ll be wasting their time if they make a move to take Gerrard out of Ibrox.
He said: “Look, I’m not daft. I know Gerrard won’t be at Rangers forever. In fact, it’s only a matter of time before he leaves and it might well be sooner rather than later. I wouldn’t be surprised if he chooses to move on next summer or maybe in a year or so.
“I’m also not surprised in the slightest he’s being linked with the Newcastle job because it makes a lot of sense. He’s not just a massive name all over the world because of what he did as a player – he’s now a successful manager who’s won a title and impressed in Europe.
“So Rangers are just going to have to get used to his name being quoted whenever a top job becomes available in the Premier League.
“But I am certain he’ll make the decision when he feels the time is right and only when he’s achieved all he wants to achieve at Ibrox. Not before.
“This is not about money. The guy is hardly doing this job just to make ends meet.
“So, yes, people will look at the kind of financial muscle at Newcastle and think he’d be down the road in a minute if they make him an offer.
“But I just don’t believe that’s true. I listen to what he says and it makes me believe he is still learning his trade as a manager.
“He’s made huge improvements at Rangers and obviously has won his first title. But the motivation now is to retain that title and add more trophies to his CV.
“That’s the next phase of his development and I don’t think he’ll be ready to move on until he’s done it. He has unfinished business as Rangers boss.”
Alloa boss Ferguson believes leaving Rangers before he’s ready to make the jump into England’s top flight could do more harm than good to Gerrard’s long-term ambition to return to Anfield as a ready-made replacement for Jurgen Klopp.
He went on: “Newcastle obviously have big ambitions. They are now talking about a five-year plan to win the Premier League and money is not going to be an object.
“They could try to tempt Steven by promising to spend £200million in every transfer window and, yes, that’s a big attraction for any manager.
“But he’s a smart guy. He’ll know that, if he’s rushed into taking that job on before he’s ready, then he could end up having his reputation damaged by it.
“If the owners become impatient they probably won’t hang about before making a change.”
Gary McAllister also insists Newcastle won’t be the first club to try to poach Gerrard.
The Rangers No.2 said: “The thing is, since we have been here there has been speculation and links to several clubs.
“That’s part and parcel of being a high-profile manager. A high-profile manager that’s done pretty well here.”