Bill Leckie baffled at what he’s learned about Steven Gerrard and Rangers
Rangers are looking likely to be in the market for a new manager after the conclusion of the season.
Barry Ferguson has been linked with the permanent job after taking over on an interim basis until the end of the campaign.
However, a loss against Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday (17 April) knocked Rangers out and brought them crashing back down to reality.
Steven Gerrard linked with Rangers job
With the 49ers Enterprises looking to complete a takeover at Ibrox ahead of the new campaign, it is looking more likely that they will bring in their own appointment rather than sticking with Ferguson.
A takeover would give the Gers more money to play with in the summer transfer window, with the hope of signings that could get the squad closer to competing with Celtic once more.
Therefore, this could well be reflected in any potential appointment at Ibrox, with the new owners looking for someone with the experience of handling big pressure and potentially high-profile signings.
One man who has been linked with a return to Ibrox is Steven Gerrard, who led the Light Blues to a Scottish Premiership title during his tenure in Glasgow.
However, speaking live on talkSPORT (18 April, 12:09pm), Bill Leckie admitted he was not a fan of the idea as he said: “It keeps getting talked about and there are people floating in the background at Rangers who are very much in the Steven Gerrard camp.
“I would ask, why? Why would you take him? Why would you have him back? Yeah, he won a league with Rangers in the most bizarre season ever, in the Covid season, which I don’t think is a yardstick for anything.
“He then got himself out when he could get himself out and I’m not sure it’s a great idea going back. I’m not sure it ever really goes back to the way you were before. It wouldn’t be my choice if I was picking a manager.”
Rangers cannot turn to Gerrard
Gerrard did have a successful stint with Rangers last time around but, as Leckie says, returning to this appointment is something the Gers should be very wary about as they prepare for a new era.
The former manager did bring a trophy to Ibrox but it was in a season with strange circumstances and both Rangers and Celtic have changed a lot since then.
Gerrard’s time at Aston Villa did not go as well as he would have hoped and he has since struggled in Saudi Arabia too.
| Team | Win rate |
| Rangers | 64.8% |
| Aston Villa | 32.5% |
| Al-Ettifaq | 39% |
Therefore, this should be putting serious doubts into the minds of those at Ibrox over whether he actually has the quality as a boss or if he just did a good job with Rangers.
Furthermore, returning to something and expecting the same outcomes in different circumstances never tends to go well and the past should be left in the past.
Providing the 49ers complete their takeover of Rangers, the job of manager will no doubt be an attractive one, looking forward to more optimistic times.
Therefore, Rangers need to be much more ambitious in their targets.