HERE TO STAY
Murphy: Gerrard is not the type to walk away
DANNY MURPHY insists it is simply not in the character of his close friend Steven Gerrard to walk away from Rangers.
The Ibrox boss sparked speculation about his future when admitting he would have to do ‘some real serious thinking’ after Saturday’s grim Scottish Cup defeat to Hearts left him staring at a second trophyless season. Rangers captain James
Tavernier has since urged Gerrard to fight on, stressing that the players want him to remain.
Sources close to the ex-England captain have told Sportsmail he is not giving any serious consideration to quitting his first managerial position. And former Liverpool team-mate Murphy believes such a prospect is unthinkable, given Gerrard’s mentality, saying: ‘I’d be absolutely amazed if he walked, gobsmacked. It’s not in him, not the person I know.
‘I don’t think there’s any chance of that at all. Not even one per cent. He’s really angry and
frustrated in that interview and he’s taken some responsibility himself regarding what he’s seeing on the pitch isn’t what he wants from his players, therefore doubting himself in terms of: “Am I getting my message across?” ‘In isolation, this one game isn’t a big deal. You also have to remember, when you play abroad in a European game at any level (as Rangers did in Braga last Wednesday evening), you’re talking about travel, the physical output of the game then the euphoria of the win. ‘Any game after a big game when you’ve come through it, there’s a comedown and it’s very hard to pick yourself up. It’s just human nature.’ Murphy feels the depth of Gerrard’s disappointment was down to the cumulative effects of the domestic decline Rangers have suffered since the winter break. Having trailed Celtic by two points with a game in hand after winning at Parkhead on December 29, the Ibrox men are now 12 points adrift of their rivals. Gerrard’s side return to action in a home Premiership meeting with Hamilton tomorrow night. ‘I don’t think that’s the big issue, going out of the cup — it’s more about the inconsistency since they’ve come back from the break,’ Murphy told talkSPORT. ‘They’ve lost ground on Celtic in the league and the performances have dropped. ‘But I think with the wisdom he’s got around him in people like Gary McAllister, when they think about where they’ve come as a club in the time that they have, it’ll calm itself down. ‘There’s still a lot to play for. Why walk away from that? ‘Stevie’s way has always been to front up. He doesn’t need to take it all on his shoulders. ‘He’s come out and he’s tried to take some responsibility. He’d never forgive himself if he walked in a moment of emotion.’