The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)

Celts boss ‘a bit surprised’ at Gerrard link to Rangers job

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was surprised to see Steven Gerrard linked to the manager’s job at Rangers.

The Liverpool under-18s coach has emerged as frontrunne­r for the post ahead of the Light Blues’ trip to Parkhead tomorrow.

Former England captain Gerrard was Liverpool’s skipper when Rodgers was in charge at Anfield.

Rodgers, whose Hoops can clinch their seventh successive title against Rangers, said: “I’ve seen the speculatio­n over the last couple of days and I was a little bit surprised.

“But the most important thing when you are starting out is when you feel the time is right and when you feel ready, especially when it is about your first job.

“It is not necessaril­y about a club, it is about the right club.

“And if the speculatio­n is right and Stevie has spoken to them then maybe there is something in that, that he feels that it is the right club.

“I know he has always wanted to be a manager, I know that from my time working closely with him at Liverpool, it was something that he wanted to do.

“So, if it happens for him then he will obviously feel it is right and the right club to start at.”

But Rangers interim manager Graeme Murty has refused to hand over the job to Gerrard without a fight. Murty – whose deal expires at the end of the season – put on a bullish display ahead of the Old Firm clash tomorrow as he vowed to battle on.

He said: “I’m in the role. I love the role and will do everything I possibly can to keep it. I’ll be fighting as hard as I can in these last four games to finish as high up the table as I possibly can.

“I think I’ve done a good job so far. We’ve gone from fourth to second with a squad that isn’t mine, with a style of football that’s

“If Stevie has spoken to them maybe there is something in it”

starting to look like the style I want.

“The club knows I want this job. There has never been any doubt about that.”

Rodgers will assess striker Moussa Dembele and midfielder Stuart Armstrong ahead of their potential title clincher against Rangers at Parkhead.

Both players returned to training after shrugging off knocks but their fitness levels will be evaluated before the Hoops set out to clinch the title against their rivals.

Nir Bitton (knee) and Jonny Hayes (broken leg) are still out.

Aberdeen did their part to put the pressure on rivals Rangers and Hibernian in the race for second place in the Scottish Premiershi­p by seeing off the feeble challenge of Hearts at Pittodrie last night.

The Dons cruised to a comfortabl­e victory against a Jambos team which offered little in return.

Aberdeen were not at their best but it was more than enough against the Edinburgh men, who gave the impression they cannot wait for the season to end. The Dons, however, seem intent on leading from the front.

The Dons were bullied in their recent defeat at Tynecastle and manager Derek McInnes opted to match-up physically with the Jambos for last night’s game.

The manner of the Tynecastle loss this month shaped the Dons manager’s approach to this game as Sam Cosgrove made his first appearance in the starting line-up.

Aberdeen went into their fourth meeting with the men from Gorgie still searching for their first goal of the season against their opponents and a surging run forward from Dominic Ball ended with the midfielder laying the ball off for Graeme Shinnie, who saw his 20-yard strike saved by

ABERDEEN HEARTS 2 0

Hearts goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin.

In keeping with the previous matches this season, the play was ragged and combative but one moment of good play created the opportunit­y for the Dons to break the deadlock in the 21st minute.

Shay Logan’s flick released Gary MackayStev­en down the right

“The manner of the Tynecastle loss shaped the Dons manager’s approach”

and he forced a corner for his side. McGinn’s delivery was perfect as he picked out Cosgrove and the big centre forward justified his manager’s faith in him by heading the ball down for Anthony O’Connor, who converted from close range.

The home side went close to adding a second a minute later when Stevie May’s free kick found McGinn but McLaughlin did well to hold the Dons winger’s volley.

Hearts struggled to get anywhere near Joe Lewis’s goal and their ineffectiv­eness was punished as the Dons doubled their lead in the 37 th minute.

Don Cowie was hustled out of possession 35 yards in front of his own goal and Aberdeen surged forward with Kenny McLean’s terrific pass splitting the Hearts defence and MackayStev­en ran clear into the box before beating McLaughlin with a low, curling effort.

The manner in which Hearts collapsed in the closing minutes must have concerned watching manager Craig Levein.

It should have been 3-0 before the interval as May found Logan unmarked in the box but he could not direct his header on target.

 ??  ?? FIRST BLOOD: Anthony O’Connor, left, beats Hearts goalkeeper Jon Mclaughlin to
FIRST BLOOD: Anthony O’Connor, left, beats Hearts goalkeeper Jon Mclaughlin to

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