New Rangers manager Steven Gerrard is set to take over at Ibrox on June 1.
Former Rangers defender Terry Butcher has told Sky Sports that Steven Gerrard can beat Celtic if spends his allocated transfer budget wisely, as well as enforcing a style of play on the Gers side.
Gerrard, 37, is set to take over as manager at Ibrox following the sacking of Graeme Murty in what has been another disappointing campaign. The club remain in third, and have failed to reach a final of either Cup.
The former Liverpool and England captain is said to have been promised funds to spend this summer ahead of the 2018-19 campaign, as he looks to close the gap between the Light Blues and bitter rivals Celtic.
Butcher, who played for the Gers for four years between 1986 and 1990, believes Gerrard can beat Celtic if he brings in the right players and implements a style capable of beating Brendan Rodgers’ style.
“It would be nice for Steven Gerrard to do that as well [beat Celtic] but to do that he is going to need to take time with his team, get them to play the way he wants them to play and get new players bedded in, which is why the summer transfer window is going to be so important,” Butcher said.
“But he’s obviously got to have the funds. He’s been promised the funds and if they appear he’s got to spend them wisely.”
Pedro Caixinha has been hugely criticised for his spending last summer when in charge at Ibrox, spending big bucks on flops such as Carlos Pena, Eduardo Herrera, Bruno Alves and Fabio Cardoso.
The Gers hopes of finishing second behind Celtic remain alive, with second-place being rewarded with a place in the second qualifying round of the Europa League – whereas third and fourth go into the first.
Jimmy Nicholl and Jonatan Johansson will be hoping for a win against Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday, as well as keeping their fingers crossed that Celtic beat Aberdeen. A point separates the Gers from the Dons, who are in second.
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