What a difference 12 months have made for Rangers and Gerrard
Steven Gerrard cut a crestfallen figure as he sat in the Tynecastle media room detailing Rangers’ failings.
He looked and spoke like a man on the brink after being bundled out the Scottish Cup by Hearts.
That scene played out exactly one year ago as his domestic ambitions lay in tatters and Gerrard admitted he had “serious thinking” to do.
Whatever thoughts crossed his mind, the man who hatched the plan to hire him for Rangers is convinced walking away wasn’t one of them.
Mark Allen, the former Ibrox Director of Football, recognised Gerrard would fight back.
And how. Rangers are unbeaten on a title procession that could be over in weeks and have a Europa League last-16 tie against the Czechs of Slavia Prague to relish after scoring nine against Royal Antwerp.
For Allen, there’s enormous satisfaction that a three-year plan set out when Gerrard was appointed is being realised.
Many feared for a frustrated Gerrard bailing out two seasons in when the 2019/20 campaign collapsed.
But Allen, now Swansea City academy director, wasn’t one of them. He said: “I’m sure we’ve all had days when we’ve thought: Is there an alternative?
“But knowing the character of Steven, there was no way on earth that he was going to walk away from Rangers. No chance.
“The plan was very simple. The first point was to close the gap. The second was to win the league.
“The third was to put Rangers back to where their consistency level used to be.
“Without trying to be smart, I did think it would take three years. Lo and behold, it has.
“I was confident we just had to show, year on year, that we were getting closer, to focus on our part and not worry about others.”
Allen advised the Ibrox board in early 2018 that the next manager hunt should be about stature and not stats. And a main credential was character.
That led Allen to travel to Gerrard’s home and lay out his vision for rebuilding Rangers.
“I knew from sitting with him that, if we built the right team on and off the pitch, we’d be successful,” Allen stressed.
“It was going to take someone of his ilk to turn the situation around. Everything he stands for is absolutely critical to Rangers – that winner, leader character.
“I’d like to think Rangers will look on the appointment of Steven as a very important turning point in their history.”
Allen has derived great pride watching Gerrard’s team dominate domestically and play with such authority to reach the Round of 16 in Europe for a second year.
Their achievements have grown from seeds Allen helped Gerrard and his coaching team sow.
Allen explained: “The terminology we tried to integrate into the operation
early doors was: ‘Organised. Ruthless. Relentless.’ Both on and off the pitch.
“That’s what you see now in this Rangers team. It always takes time for a culture to come together.
“Rangers are organised. Quite relentless in their pursuit, as the league has shown. And they’re ruthless when need be, putting chances away.
“I’m seeing all that come to life. What was once a vision and desire is now a reality.”
Allen admits the onerous groundwork and tough days of his tenure means James Tavernier lifting the Premiership trophy will be a powerful moment for him.
“I’ll have to be careful I don’t get emotional,” he said. “There’s immense pride. A lot of work went on, it was a difficult club sometimes.
“But I ’v e always backed my convictions and been strong and resolute enough to see those through. It’s hugely satisfying that it’s going to come home.”
Connor Goldson and
Scott Arfield plus the
returns of Allan Mcgregor and Steven Davis were key recruitments to create a strong spine. New penalty taker Borna Barisic’s impact after signing from Osijek was a satisfying slow-burner.
“I was never in any doubt about Borna,” said Allen. “When you come to a new country and meet a level of intensity you’ve never experienced, it takes time to settle. “Invariably their second season is better than their first. Borna has added a huge dimension to the team.”
As with Barisic (inset), Rangers have Gerrard and staff on contracts until 2024. That won’t ever stop links with the Liverpool job that have existed since day one at Ibrox.
However, Allen is excited to see what future plans Gerrard has for Rangers. He said: “Rangers can’t stop here, by winning the league. You’ve always got to strengthen year- onyear. The best do that. Look at what Sir Alex did at Man United. “Every single year of their success he added more. And I’m sure that will be one of the things on Steven’s mind.”
Nicky Devlin wondered if he was destined to only watch others celebrating when his football career was on the slide.
But he’s hoping to be revelling in the joy of winning a major trophy at Hampden Park tonight.
The Livingston full-back is in line to play his 36th game of the season when his side face St Johnstone in the final of the Betfred Cup.
Just seven years ago, he was released by Stenhousemuir after a spell juggling part-time football with bar work.
It looked like his dreams of playing at the top level were fading away.
He said: “I was working in the bar of the Pond Hotel in the West End of Glasgow.
“It was a 24-hour bar and there were a few times when I’d play on the Saturday and, if they were short- staffed, I’d go straight from the game to work on an 18th or 21st birthday party.
“I usually worked from 7 in the morning until 3 pm. Then I’d go home for a couple of hours before training at night.”
“I actually really enjoyed working in the bar, it was a good laugh and chat. But, it wasn’t something I wanted to do forever.”
It looked like he might have no option but to continue pulling pints when he left Stenhousemuir.
Then his saviour appeared in the shape of Ayr United boss Mark Roberts.
He went on: “No disrespect to Stenhousemuir, because it was a great club for me, but when you get released from there it’s a case of ‘ Where do I go now?’.
“I feared I’d be like so many and fall out of the game.
“I was lucky enough that Mark Roberts gave me a phone call to go down to Ayr just to train for a couple of weeks.
“He made it quite clear after a few days that they wanted to sign me, which was a huge relief.
“There have been so many cases of players being released at lower league level and falling out of the game.
“I’ve got a lot to thank Mark for.
“In my second year, Ian Mccall took over as manager and made me captain when I was still only 20. That was a big moment for me.
“I think it matured me a lot quicker than I possibly would’ve normally.
“I was still young in a dressing room full of experienced players but he chose me to be captain. That was a big turning point for me.”
Devlin’s success at Somerset Park resulted in a move to League One Walsall United on a two-year contract.
Despite being offered a new deal by the
Midlands club, he opted to join Livingston in 2019.
It’s a decision he hasn’t regretted for a moment.
The 27-year-old added: “I’d never played in the Premiership up here, so I wanted to do that and prove I could do it.
“The opportunity at Livingston came along, I spoke to my family, and they thought it was the best option for me.
“We’re all very hard working players at the club. We’re not a team full of superstars and big egos.
“We work hard and we all get on.
“I think that’s why it’s been successful so far.
“The manager epitomises it – he’s worked really hard on and off the park for the club.”
Almondvale boss Davie Martindale has certainly got people talking about the club.
His rehabilitation following a six- andahalf- year prison sentence for drugs offences is a remarkable story.
Devlin reckons there could be a call from
Hollywood if he leads Livi to silverware.
He said: “If things were to go well for us today, I’m not sure he wouldn’t be too far off a film. Netflix missed a trick.
“At the side of the park, you can obviously hear him.
“He’s determined when we are playing and highly motivated going into every game.
“He’s been brilliant, a breath of fresh air for the squad, and it’s not all talk.
“He has backed it up with his 16 games in charge.
“I think he probably targets players like me that have got a point to prove.
“We’ve been written off so many times but we keep proving people wrong.
“And hopefully we’ll be able to do that again at Hampden.”
NICKY DEVLIN was speaking to promote Premier Sports’ live and exclusive coverage of the Betfred Cup Final Livingston v St Johnstone on Sunday from 1pm. Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin TV and the Premier Player. Prices start from £9.99 per month.” first