GERRARD'S RANGERS REVOLUTION: BACK ON TOP AND DOING IT IN STYLE

Featured Image Credit: Rangers FC

It’s well documented of late that Steven Gerrard has made phenomenal ground and improvements at Rangers since his arrival.

Despite it being Gerrard’s first managerial job at senior level he hasn’t looked inexperienced at all. He’s clearly using all his experience and knowledge from his playing days and translating that to his players for how he wants his team to play.

At the moment Rangers predominantly play a 4-3-3 formation with their forward players interchanging. Glen Kamara, Steven Davis, and Joe Aribo have been ever present in midfield, transforming defence to attack brilliantly. They’ve also got a solid defensive structure with Goldson being at the heart of defence with his centre back partner it allows their full backs to get forward and contribute to the attack.

Undoubtedly a massive name in the sport, Gerrard’s playing reputation alone has interested players into coming to Ibrox and playing for the Teddy Bears.

He’s also used his contacts within the game to learn and progress his management skills and obviously used his Liverpool links to make signings from his boyhood club such as Sheyi Ojo, Ryan Kent, and Jon Flanagan from previous seasons.

Upon his arrival Gerrard didn’t waste any time bringing along Gary McAllister as his assistant. Gerrard had previously mentioned how much of an impact McAllister had on his playing career stating that McAllister nurtured him into being Liverpool captain. A young Steven Gerrard clearly looked up to an older more experienced Gary McAllister when playing alongside him and it’s that mutual respect that probably makes them a perfect coaching double in Glasgow.

After entering administration in February of 2012, Rangers were given a player registration embargo and unfortunately for The Gers their application to rejoin the Premiership was rejected. They later joined the Scottish Third division following liquidation and had to start from scratch.

They endured four seasons in the lower divisions and eventually got promoted back to the premiership in the 2015-16 campaign.

During this time Rangers have been described as a sleeping giant in the football world until Gerrard’s Rangers revolution.

Originally Gerrard was brought in to close the gap as it were but what he has done cannot be underestimated. Not only has Gerrard delivered the title he has also put together several Europa League runs during his tenure beating some top sides across Europe.

The Rangers board couldn’t have picked a better man for the job when they appointed Gerrard. A man of the people in Liverpool, Gerrard knows what it means to represent a gargantuan football club and alongside his coaching staff have put together a terrific footballing side that don’t only win games, they do it in style.

The Gers have got an ever present spine in their side with fan favourite Alan McGregor in net all the way down to star striker Alfredo Morelos up front who seems to have calmed down of late. Alongside them their skipper, James Tavernier has been as prolific as a right back can be and more importantly has come on leaps and bounds defensively.

The blue half of Glasgow have got a wealth of experience in their side mixed in with young hungry talents. Steven Davis and Scott Arfield have been terrific servants for Rangers and their leadership has undoubtedly helped the younger Ianis Hagi and Joe Aribo in the middle of the park.

Ryan Kent also seems a smart bit of business from Rangers providing not only pace and skill but also end product in the final third. Kent has got eight goals and six assists at the time of writing and has scored some vital goals not only in the league but in Europe too.

It might look a good appointment now but there were no certainties that Gerrard could deliver the title back to Rangers as his only previous management experience was taking charge of Liverpool’s under 18’s following his retirement. Some pundits also questioned Gerrard along the way such as Stephen Craigan who said Graeme Murty would’ve been a smarter appointment. However, the players have done the talking for Gerrard on pitch and booked themselves in the Rangers hall of fame.

Rangers will enjoy this title win like everyone associated with Rangers will do but the real test will be supplying long term success to the football club and winning several trophies whilst at the helm.

With the backing of the board Gerrard will be hoping to have a large period of success whilst in Scotland to a football club who, despite being the most domestically successful football club in the world have been starved of success over the last ten years.

On the brink of joining MK Dons, Gerrard was offered the perfect first job. Rangers has provided the former England captain with the perfect platform to implement his own style of play and the opportunity to perform on the European stage. Earmarked as the successor to Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, the Liverpool hierarchy will definitely be keeping note of his progress but former teammate, Jamie Carragher doesn’t see the obvious happening any time soon. The adopted red believes ‘Gerrard has fell in love with Rangers’ and can see him staying in Glasgow for the long run.

After ten years of suffering Rangers are back on their perch and they’ll be hoping to stay there for a long time.