Stevie WON’T bail out on Gers
Ex-Ibrox chief Allen on gaffer’s future
Mark Allen has backed Rangers boss Steven Gerrard to stay at Ibrox – even if big clubs in England come after him.
Former Gers director of football Allen appointed Gerrard, who is now excelling in Europe and set to clinch the Premiership title.
Allen knows the Ibrox boss will be attracting interest from down south due to the job he has done in Glasgow.
Reports yesterday suggested the Liverpool legend is being lined up to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, with increasing doubts over the German’s long-term future on Merseyside. There
is a growing belief that Klopp will say yes to the chance of succeeding Joachim Low as Germany’s national boss.
But Allen believes that Gerrard – who has a contract until 2024 – will want a crack at the Champions League with Gers next season.
Allen, now academy director at Swansea, said: “Steven won’t walk away from anything.
“I think it will be a quest ion of how successful he thinks he’s going to be moving forward.
“It’s important to say, Rangers can’t stop here by winning the league.
“And in terms of the squad, you’ve always got to be strengthening every year.
“That’s no detriment to any player at Rangers right now, they’ve been excellent. But even the best – look at what Sir Alex Ferguson did at Manchester United – add players every year when they’re successful.
“I’m sure that will be one of the things on Steven’s mind.
“I think a crack at the Champions League will appeal to him.
“Three years ago at Rangers we crept into Europe after a 5-5 draw at Hibs.
“To perhaps get to the quarter- f inal of the Europa League now tells people what Steven has achieved in that time.
“Those who understand football will know that’s a phenomenal turnaround.
“Steven will always be linked with Liverpool, when you think of the part he played at that club and the esteem in which he’s held on and off the pitch.
“But I think he’s a guy who wants to prove what he can do outside of that.
“What people should take from what he’s done at Rangers is that Steven Gerrard will be a top manager – full stop.”
It’s almost a year to the day when Gerrard’s side lost a Scottish Cup tie against Hearts and the manager admitted he would have to consider his own position.
It was arguably his lowest point at Ibrox but he has recovered in spectacular fashion.
Allen, who left Gers in 2019, is adamant Gerrard would NEVER have quit.
And he believes that Gerrard will be looked upon as one of Rangers’ best-ever signings.
Allen said: “Knowing the character of Steven, there was no way on earth that he was going to walk away from Rangers. No chance.
“I hope he goes down as one of the club’s best signings.
“I certainly think it was going to take someone of his ilk to come in and put Rangers back on that track.
“I’d like to think when Rangers look back through their history they will look on the appointment of Steven as a very important turning point for the whole club.”