Richard Keys slams Steven Gerrard in Rangers fans suggestion
Richard Keys is unhappy with the manner of Steven Gerrard’s Rangers departure after the new Aston Villa manager’s farewell message.
Gerrard swapped Ibrox for Villa Park on Thursday [11/11/21] and subsequently issued a statement on his personal Instagram profile.
“I hope in time you can understand and accept my decision to move on,” Gerrard wrote in the statement.
BeIN SPORTS anchor Keys, however, was left unhappy by the way Gerrard left Rangers, writing on his personal blog: “Leaving Rangers like a thief in the night was poor. Everybody at Ibrox deserved better – not least the players – who knew little or nothing about your intentions until they saw pictures of you holding up a Villa shirt – and yes – you looked happy! The ‘daft questions’ came later this time.
“Why leave like that? Why skulk off after being given your big break by Rangers? You later issued a statement saying ‘in time – I hope people understand’. Well they won’t. If you’d done things the right way I’m sure they might have done.
“There’s no doubting that the job he did at Rangers was first class. If nothing else – he stopped Celtic making it 10-in-a-row, but this is a step up. The last man to make a similar journey failed. It hurts me to say that because he’s a mate. I’m sorry Graeme [Souness].”
All forgiven in the end?
With Gerrard only leaving Rangers last week, emotions are still raw among the Ibrox faithful.
Some supporters have been left incensed by the Englishman’s decision to up sticks with more than half of the season left to go.
Gerrard had only won one out of nine possible trophies since his appointment as Rangers manager in 2018, and he leaves the club at a critical point of their season with a League Cup semi-final clash coming up this weekend.
However, if Rangers go on to win the Premiership again this year, and possibly add a cup to that success, then any ill-feeling towards Gerrard is surely likely to dissipate.
It’s easy to forget now with his exit still fresh in the mind, but Gerrard did a lot to stabilise the club and set the foundations for last season’s stunning title success that saw the Gers go unbeaten over 38 games.
The former Liverpool captain has also helped to put them back on the map in Europe.
As long as his successor picks up the baton and doesn’t fall over, Gerrard should still be remembered fondly at the end of the season.
In other Rangers news, a new ‘Favourite’ has emerged in the club’s manager hunt as this Champions League icon is on course for Ibrox.