[article]RANGERS season ticket holders have responded in their thousands as preparations for a new chapter in the club’s history continue apace.
With the deadline for renewals approaching (Monday, May 14) over 30,000 fans have already pledged their support and this astonishing number is higher than at the corresponding period last year when the club went on to record a record number of season tickets sold.
This can only be a massive positive for the new manager, Steven Gerrard, whose own preparations to meet all the challenges of season 2018/19, will go into overdrive on June 1, his official start date.
Supporters are reminded they can renew in four easy ways, either on the club website, the Rangers Ticket Centre, by phone or via email.
Rangers Managing Director Stewart Robertson has again paid tribute to the loyal Gers supporters. “The passion that was shown by the fans in attendance as we unveiled Steven as our new manager was incomparable” he said.
“This loyalty and passion will never be taken for granted by the Club, as we continue to work tirelessly towards creating a bright future together.”[/article]
[article]Steven Gerrard admits taking the Rangers job is a huge task so early on in his managerial career but says he can’t wait to get started.
The former Liverpool captain, who was appointed coach at Ibrox last Friday, was in Dubai on Thursday to promote Sunday’s free LFC World fan experience at Barasti, where he will be present to watch the Brighton game with fans alongside fellow former Reds Steve McManaman and Gary McAllister.
McAllister will be Gerrard’s assistant at Rangers next season, so it was only natural for the conversation to deviate away from Liverpool, given the happenings of the past week.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind for myself and Gary really,” said Gerrard, who will challenge his former Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers — who is now at Celtic — for the Scottish crown next season.
“Obviously the opportunity came up for a managerial role up in Scotland to lead Rangers in the SPL (Scottish Premier League) and obviously it’s a very exciting opportunity for myself and Gary and the rest of the staff we’ll take with us.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge, it’s big, and it came very quickly since I started coaching, but it’s one I’m really looking forward to.”
The 37-year-old Englishman’s only other managerial experience was overseeing Liverpool’s Under-18s this season, but he has now jumped in at the deep end with Rangers, who are only two seasons back into the top flight after having to work their way back up from the fourth tier following their 2012 liquidation.
Rangers are currently third in the SPL with one game to go this season but remain 13 points behind Rodgers’ Celtic, who have now won seven league titles in a row.
Gerrard, who scored 186 goals in 710 appearances for Liverpool between 1998 and 2015, also waded in on Liverpool’s Champions League final chances against Real Madrid in Kiev on May 26, and offered his insight having lifted the title with the club back in 2005.
“I think we’ve got a really good chance,” he said. “I wouldn’t say on current form we’re going into the game as underdogs at all, although I suppose Jurgen [Klopp] and the boys will want to go in as underdogs because it takes that little bit of pressure off.
“But I think, with the form that they are in and how they’ve performed in the last two games against Roma, and the form the front three players are in, especially Mo Salah, I think we go in with every confidence and belief that we can get the job done.
“In 2005 we were the underdogs and rightly so against a fantastic Milan side, so if you go in with confidence and belief and never give up, I’ve experienced it, it can be done.”[/article]
[article]Steven Gerrard’s Rangers assistant Gary McAllister says he always knew he would end up working with his former Liverpool teammate on the touchline.
Speaking in Dubai on Thursday, where he is here with Gerrard and fellow former Red Steve McManaman to promote Sunday’s LFC World fan experience at Barasti, McAllister said: “First and foremost it’s a massive complement to be the guy that Steven asked to come along and be his assistant, so I’m very honoured with the fact he asked me.
“I had a feeling — I wouldn’t say it would be the Rangers job — but I had a feeling in my blood that at some point before we actually packed up football, we would work together at some point. And it’s happened at a great club up in Glasgow, who have been through a tough few seasons, but hopefully we can make a difference.
“I’ve been cruising along working for Liverpool as an ambassador doing LFC World and meeting fans all over the world but now I’m right back at the coalface back there working with the players, it’s what I know and I’m delighted to be there with Steve.”
The pair were only appointed by Rangers last Friday but had pre-arranged commitments with Liverpool that forced them to switch Glasgow for Dubai this weekend.
They will return after this to prepare for next season, where they will attempt to bridge a burgeoning gap between Rangers and their Glasgow rivals Celtic.
Ironically the 53-year-old former Scotland captain only played four years in the Scottish league with Motherwell from 1981 to 1985, before heading south to represent Leicester City, Leeds United, Coventry City and Liverpool.
He scored five in 55 appearances at Liverpool alongside Gerrard winning five trophies in a one season stay back in 2001.
While this will be Gerrard’s first proper managerial role having only previously overseen Liverpool’s Under-18s this season, McAllister does at least come in with a bit more experience having player-managed Coventry between 2002 and 2004, followed by brief managerial roles at Leeds and Aston Villa in 2008 and 2011.[/article]
