The former Rangers midfielder is satisfied with Steven Gerrard’s efforts at Ibrox.
Neil McCann has shared what he has texted the Rangers manager, Steven Gerrard, about his Ibrox reign.
Gerrard has led Rangers, for whom McCann played for five years, to second in his first campaign in charge of the Scottish Premiership giants.
However, the Gers trail their main rivals, Celtic, by 10 points going into Sunday’s Old Firm encounter at Parkhead, and are out of all three cup competitions, domestic and continental.
Discussing Gerrard’s reign on Talksport earlier, McCann said: “I think Steven has learned an enormous amount of experience in his short time in the job, because he’s not going into just a respectable middle of the road club. He’s gone into a football club where the expectation is enormous, regardless of where they have been in the number of years previous to that.
“So Steven’s gone in there, I think he’s probably had a shock. He’s made some signings along the way. Some have hit the ground running. Some will probably take a bit of time. Actually, I’ve exchanged texts with Steven and I’ve said that to him. It’s a shock to not only him and some of his new staff but certainly the players coming to Glasgow, to get into the way of things and understand the expectation levels.
“And when you’re not winning games the pressure from the stands it transmits to the pitch and that’s where you’re actually looking for the boys to actually step up and find that consistency because that’s what’s required to win a title in any league.
“Celtic have shown that they’re capable of doing that. Rangers have not found that this season. But they’ve come up with some great results and none more so than beating Celtic back at Ibrox. They need to put on a performance like that again. If they don’t and they lose the game then I think everybody knows it’s over.”
Gerrard, though, has improved Rangers overall, according to McCann.
The 44-year-old added: “Although they’re still 10 points behind and they’re out of both cups I actually do think Rangers are better this season.
“I think Steven’s done a good job and I think he’ll continue to get better once he understands the demands up here and what you face every week. I think there’ll be more signings come in, they’ll be more elite.”
McCann, who was in charge for Dundee’s 5-0 defeat against Celtic earlier in the season, warned Rangers not to allow Celtic to play through them at Parkhead.
The former Scotland international was part of the Gers side that won the Scottish Premiership in front of the Bhoys fans 20 years ago.
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