‘I’m sure it is the same’ – Thomson compares Rangers man to Ibrox legend
Former Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson has compared Steven Gerrard to legendary Gers boss Walter Smith after his European exploits with the Ibrox club.
The Gers take on Benfica this Thursday and victory would mean that Gerrard’s side will have won six straight games in the Europa League this season.
Speaking to The Scottish Sun, Thomson has claimed that Gerrard’s experience as a player is ‘proving invaluable’ to the current Rangers squad while comparing the Gers boss to the legendary Smith.
He said, “Walter was one of the most experienced managers in the game and he was great at making you feel ten feet tall in big games. The current manager doesn’t have the same experience in the dugout, but the experience he has picked up as a player is clearly proving invaluable.
“Very few coaches right now will have experienced the highs and lows in Europe like he has and the Rangers players are really benefitting from that. He competed at the very highest level throughout his career and was a Champions League and Uefa Cup winner.
“Some of the advice he [Smith] used to pass on was invaluable and I’m sure it is the same with Steven Gerrard.”
Gerrard certainly has performed well in Europe since he joined Rangers but it may be slightly premature to compare him to the man who led the Gers to the 2008 UEFA Cup final.
Of course. Smith couldn’t bring European glory to Ibrox as the Light Blues lost 2-0 to Russian side Zenit St Petersberg but getting to the final is clearly a better achievement than Gerrard has managed so far in his Rangers career.
Last season’s run to the round of 16 was a highlight in the recent history of the club and the Gers will be looking to go even further this season. The group stage campaign has started well with Gerrard’s side winning their opening two games and a third win against Benfica would give the Light Blues a great chance of qualification for the knockout rounds.
The Gers are yet to lose this term and it isn’t beyond the realm of possibility that Gerrard could lead his side to the very late stages of the Europa League this season.
In other Rangers news, Gerrard has spoken out for the first time after the club suspended Jordan Jones and George Edmundson.