Incoming Rangers manager Gerrard officially takes charge at Ibrox on June 1.
Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has told the Glasgow Evening Times that Steven Gerrard must finish second in his first season at Rangers, if he is to be deemed a success north of the border.
Gerrard, 37, has signed a four-year deal at Ibrox and joins the club from June 1, despite already having a say in the club’s first three summer signings of Scott Arfield, Allan McGregor and a permanent deal for Jamie Murphy.
There is no doubt that Gerrard boasts one of the biggest reputations in world football, but he is unproven in the managerial sphere and it remains to be seen whether he will thrive or crumble under the baptism of fire at Ibrox.
Lawrenson believes Gerrard must finish second come this time next year, and close the gap between the Gers and Old Firm rivals Celtic if he is to be deemed a success. He reckons if Gerrard loses three consecutive games, it will feel like “the end of the world”.
“It’s a tough job because of where Celtic are in relation to everybody else. If he gets Rangers second and a lot closer to Celtic he will have done a really good job,” Lawrenson said.
“But I don’t think he’ll really understand what the Old Firm is like until he gets there. It really is like a city cut in half and, if you lose a couple of games, the fans are going to be chasing you. I think it’s probably the most hostile place around.
“He obviously fancies he can do it, he’s already looking at players, he knows what it will take, but he probably doesn’t know if Rangers lose three games on the run in September, it’ll be like the end of the world, but he’ll just have to cope with it.”
Rangers finished in a disappointing third place last season, a huge 12 points behind leaders Celtic who continued their push towards 10 league titles in a row with a seventh consecutive triumph.
The Gers’ record is under threat and they will be desperate to challenge the Hoops for the title next time around, with the appointment of Gerrard reinstating the optimism around Ibrox.
Gerrard will take to the dugout for the first time in July, as the Gers enter the first round of Europa League qualifying. The two-legged tie, which is yet to be drawn, will take place on July 12 and July 19.
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