BRENDAN RODGERS re-stated his intention to make Celtic even stronger next season at yesterday’s press conference, which preceded the arrival of his former Liverpool captain, the Anfield club’s Under 18 coach, as the new manager of Rangers.
Steven Gerrard becomes the forth permanent manager in the Ibrox club’s history and follows in the path set by Ally McCoist, Mark Warburton and Pedro Caixinha. There have been a number of caretaker managers too – McDougall, Stuart McCall and more recently Graeme Murty – while Jimmy Nicholl joins that list today.
All these comings and goings have happened since Charles Green opened the doors at Ibrox for business in the summer 2012.
In contrast to the quick managerial turnaround culture that the new Rangers has adopted, Steven Gerrard has signed a four year deal. If he is to see it out he is going to have to get the better of Brendan Rodgers.
“That is absolutely something that we have to do,” Brendan replied, when asked about his intentions to strengthen Celtic in the summer.
“We aren’t measuring ourselves on any other club, but we have to improve. Keep as many of the players we have and add to the quality. But that is always going to be a very difficult challenge.
“For us at Celtic, we continue with our own strategy and our own work.”
Rodgers knows that only winning the league will be regarded as good enough for Dave King, the decision maker at Ibrox, and failure to achieve that will see Gerrard joining the list of managerial flops mentioned above.
“Their chairman was very clear on that. They’re looking to win the league,” Brendan observed.
“So that’s pretty simple, you know. It’s one where they have their own targets, they have their own goals, they have their own expectations.
“But Rangers aren’t our only rivals. You’ve got Hibs who have done great this year, and Aberdeen and Hearts.”
On Gerrard, Rodgers had this to say: “Stevie hasn’t been a manager yet.
“Of course, as a player, he was a world class player, there is no doubt about that. I am sure, and I hope, that he will enjoy the league, it will be totally different to what he is used to.
“Up here, there are a lot of honest people, honest guys, working hard for their careers every day. What they lack in quality they make up for in fight and spirit. The supporters are really passionate.
“Every game is a cup final, as he will experience. He has had that as a player, but it is different as a manager, when you manage these clubs every time you turn out it is a cup final.
“So you are dealing with all of that and from a personal perspective I am sure he will absolutely love the life up here. It is a good place to live, a good place to be. It will be a good experience for him.
“He felt this was a good time, at the right club, and I wish him good luck, except when he plays against us. I always treat all the managers with respect and try to do the best for my own club. And this will be no different.”
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