20 Saturday, May 5, 2018 SPORTS

Steven Gerrard

London other than experience. points, and are locked in a footballer,” he said. angers unveiled former “A lot of the other managers battle with Aberdeen and “That level of professionalism Liverpool and England who have been named, they Hibernian just to finish second. all his career made him a great captainR as have had experience but that Celtic’s Rodgers, player so I am sure he will their new manager yesterday, experience was not necessarily speaking before the official take all those attributes into handing the rookie boss good,” he said. “Steven’s announcement, had warm management.” the daunting task of ending character outweighed his words for his former player. Rangers fans excited by the Celtic’s domination of the inexperience.” “As a guy he was ultra- prospect of Gerrard’s arrival . professional, (he had) incredible said he could help the club Gerrard, who has previously Inspirational captain qualities as a recruit better-quality players in only worked with Liverpool’s Gerrard was an inspirational what is expected to be a busy Under-18s, takes the helm captain and Champions transfer window. of the giant club who have League winner in a 17-year But the club still have to fallen on hard times in the career at Anfield but now faces overcome a huge financial past decade despite winning a a different challenge against disparity with Celtic. record 54 Scottish titles. Celtic, who sealed the Scottish Bolstered by revenue from Celtic -- under Brendan title on Sunday with a 5-0 the Champions League, Rodgers, Gerrard’s former boss thumping of Rangers. Celtic’s £90 million ($122 at Anfield -- are bidding for The arrival of the former million) turnover last year an unprecedented successive England midfielder will restore was three times that of treble and are unbeaten against some star power to a league their rivals. their Old Firm rivals in 11 that has found it increasingly Caretaker manager games but Gerrard said he hard to attract and hold Graeme Murty, who had could not wait to get his teeth onto top players against the been promoted from his role into the new role. booming television revenues of as the club’s under-20 coach, “I’m very aware of Rangers, the . was sacked this week the size of the club, I’ve Rangers are still recovering after six months watched them from afar and from the fallout of their in charge. been lucky enough to watch liquidation in 2012 (AFP) some of the Old Firm games,” and subsequent he told a press conference at demotion to the the club’s Ibrox stadium. fourth tier “It was a no-brainer for me. of Scottish I’m very aware of There were a lot of different football. things to think about but from In their that first phone call I got a second Rangers, the size special feeling and I knew that season Rangers were for me.” back in the of the club, I’ve Gerrard, who named former top flight, Liverpool team-mate Gary Rangers McAllister as his assistant, trail Celtic watched them from said he could not help his lack by 13 of experience, adding that he had missed the pressure of afar and been lucky fighting for three points since he stopped playing. “I know there will be a lot of enough to watch pressure and a lot of scrutiny but that’s what I love about some of the Old football,” added the 37-year- old, who hung up his boots in 2016 after a 12-month stint Firm games with LA Galaxy. Chairman Dave King said Gerrard “ticked every box” Steven Gerrard