Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers visit Scottish Premiership rivals Celtic on Sunday as Steven Gerrard goes up against Brendan Rodgers.
Jamie Redknapp has written on The Daily Mail that Steven Gerrard told him that he’s loving life as Rangers manager, ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm clash away to Celtic.
Gerrard has revolutionised Rangers since taking the reins in May for what was his first stint in senior management, and has enjoyed immediate success by helping the Gers negotiate four Europa League qualifiers en route to reaching the group stage this week.
But his biggest test lies ahead as the 38-year-old prepares for his first Old Firm derby against a Celtic team that have swept all before them in Scotland since Brendan Rodgers took over in 2016.
Rodgers has masterminded back-to-back trebles at Celtic since replacing Ronny Deila at Parkhead, and this weekend will see him come up against the player he once managed at Liverpool.
The Northern Irishman has clearly landed on his feet since being fired by the Premier League side nearly three years ago, and Redknapp, who once played alongside the Rangers boss, is delighted to see Rodgers resurrect his career in Glasgow.
He told The Daily Mail: “When I spoke to Stevie recently, he told me just how much he was enjoying coaching these players. It is where I see the similarities between him and Brendan Rodgers. Whenever you are in Brendan’s company, his eyes light up when he talks about football.
“I have so much respect for everything he has achieved and am delighted that he has resurrected his career at Celtic. Stevie’s arrival north of the border has put Brendan on his toes — and it has definitely shaken Celtic. This season they are not going to have it all their own way and already they have slipped up in a couple of games.
“However this first meeting will not dictate how good a manager Gerrard will become, or whether he is better than his former boss. There will be plenty of bumps along the road he will have to overcome at Rangers. On Sunday, Celtic’s home advantage will be huge.
“What is certain is that this is the most fascinating Old Firm game for years. I cannot wait for this tussle between two box-office managers.”
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