Paul Merson hints at Newcastle approach for Rangers boss Gerrard
Paul Merson has claimed Crystal Palace or Newcastle United could make an approach for Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.
Rangers won their 55th league title at the weekend with Gerrard gaining legendary status at Ibrox for halting Celtic's bid to win 10-in-a-row and bringing the glory days back to the blue half of Glasgow.
However, there has also been speculation surrounding his future with the former Liverpool midfielder linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield should he move on [Mirror].
Ex-Arsenal player Merson has now thrown two other names into the mix, claiming that Palace and Newcastle might turn their attentions towards Gerrard if they avoid relegation from the Premier League.
"After a brilliant season at Rangers, I just can't see how clubs won't be coming after Steven Gerrard," told Sky Sports.
"I look at teams like Crystal Palace, who are staying up, and Newcastle, if they stay up, and others, will they be knocking the door down for Gerrard?
"It's a different job at clubs like that. Rangers usually win around 75 per cent of their games and I know it is more than that this season, but at clubs in the lower half of the Premier League, you may only be winning 50 per cent of games."
Absolutely ridiculous
Does Merson really think Palace or Newcastle have the pulling power to be able to attract Gerrard?
If he stays put at Ibrox - and we believe he will - then he'll be defending a league title and also managing in the Champions League next season.
Why on earth would he join a mediocre Premier League club like Palace or a team like Newcastle, who's run by Mike Ashley.
Gerrard's been at Ibrox long enough to know how poisoinous a person Newcastle owner Ashley can be so we really doubt he'd want to go there and manage a team who has all the resources to be a Premier League force but won't do it due to their pragmatic and controversial owner.
Liverpool will be the one. We doubt Gerrard will go anywhere other than Anfield if he does decide to call it a day at Rangers.
He's already been reported to have caught the eye of Liverpool's board due to the job he's done in the Premiership so obviously he'll get a top-end Premier League job if he does return to England.
Palace or Newcastle? Have a day off, Merse.