Home of football statistics and historyWhen Steven Gerrard arrived at Ibrox, in front of him was the challenge of ending Celtic’s reign of dominance. In 2019-20, it wasn’t to be despite a strong start to the campaign. Thus, he and his players had to bounce back, particularly with Celtic on the brink of a famous ten-in-a-row. This season, their response has been effective, winning 23 of their opening 26 top-flight matches. As such, the title looks to be heading back to Ibrox for the first time since 2010-11. However, if Gerrard does succeed at Rangers, will he seek pastures new?
Possible new opportunities
It’s no secret that football fans and pundits expect Gerrard to end up in the dugout at his beloved Liverpool later in his career. However, with Jurgen Klopp bringing trophy-winning success to the Merseyside club, the former England captain will have to wait for his opportunity. This expectation does, however, raise questions over the 40-year-old’s future.
If there’s one thing that global football fans know about Gerrard, it’s that his loyalty can’t be questioned. Although Dave King, the former Rangers chairman, believes his eventual exit from Rangers is “inevitable”, he’s also of the opinion that he’ll remain with The Gers for the bulk of his current deal, which expires in 2024. One reason for this revolves around European opportunities. Should Rangers win the league, they’ll qualify for the 2021-22 Champions League.
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Ultimately, the competition’s stature is undeniable, and it’ll likely be a considerable privilege for Gerrard to lead The Gers back into the elite of European football. In many ways, this tournament is more than just a sporting event, it is now a part of global pop culture as a result of the game’s influence on fashion and entertainment.
From a fashion standpoint, it’s a testament to the Champions League’s appeal that clubs have recently unveiled special kits centred around the European competition. In 2019, Liverpool re-released their home jersey with Champions League badges on the sleeves. Moreover, after winning their sixth European Cup, Klopp famously said, “let’s talk about six”, which has since influenced fashion designs and trends, as it’s now printed on various t-shirts.
Along with fashion marketability, its popularity has also inspired game developments. To date, EA Sports have the rights to the competition, and it plays a central role in their Career Mode feature in FIFA. Not only that, but its impact is also evident across various casino games at operators listed at ToppCasinoBonus. At LeoVegas, for example, which is one of many bonus-offering platforms at the review site, users can immerse themselves in Football Glory. The five-reel game features a trophy symbol that appears to mirror the appearance of the real-world cup, as well as a draw element, which has long been traditional in determining the competition’s fixtures. These influences that football has on pop culture on such a large scale really demonstrates its enduring popularity.
How much further can he take Rangers?
To date, Rangers have won 54 Scottish Premier Leagues, while Celtic have won 51. Should they get over the line in the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign, their advantage over Neil Lennon’s side will extend to four titles. As such, Gerrard doesn’t face the task of having to bridge the gap to Celtic. The 40-year-old will, of course, have aspirations of managing in the Premier League, but Graeme Souness doesn’t believe that the former England captain should be quick to walk away from Ibrox.
When asked about whether better things awaited Gerrard, the three-time European Cup-winning midfielder responded that opportunities don’t come much bigger than Ranger, as per the DailyRecord. Given the fierce rivalry between Scotland’s leading clubs, Souness’ sentiments undoubtedly have some weight behind them.
Now, the club’s expectations revolve around capitalising on their current superiority and clinching consecutive titles across. Should they win the league, defending it will likely be at the forefront of Gerrard’s long-term ambitions. It may be a cliche, but retaining a title is trickier than winning one, and this manager will be out to prove that Rangers are at the pinnacle on merit.
The journey’s end isn’t imminent
Of course, a lot can happen in football, but there’s still much for Gerrard to achieve at Ibrox. For years, Scottish football has been about bragging rights and superiority, and that’s achievable through consistent success. Along with back-to-back titles, the prospect of Champions League action is an intriguing project and one that the 40-year-old will likely welcome with open arms.
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