Rangers set to announce appointment of Steven Gerrard as manager after he accepts the job during fresh talks- Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard will be the next boss of Rangers Football Club
- Gerrard verbally accepted the post following fresh talks on Thursday afternoon
- Barring a late hitch, Rangers expect to announce the appointment on Friday
- Rangers have begun seeking investment to provide Gerrard with transfer funds
Rangers were on the brink of a confirming Steven Gerrard as their new permanent manager on Thursday night. The Liverpool and England legend has verbally accepted the post following fresh talks with the Ibrox hierarchy. And, barring a late hitch, Rangers expect to confirm the 37-year-old as the permanent successor to Pedro Caixinha after sources acknowledged an agreement was 'very close'. Currently the coach of Liverpool's Under 18 team, Gerrard could be unveiled to the media on Friday or early next week, with former Scotland captain Gary McAllister and Liverpool academy coach Tom Culshaw expected to form his backroom team. And Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes believes the stunning capture for the Ibrox club will be box-office gold for Scottish football. McInnes was the first choice to replace the sacked Caixinha in December before staying put at Pittodrie.
And the 46-year-old is in no doubt the hype surrounding Gerrard arrival will boost Scottish football's profile.
'Someone like Steven Gerrard coming into Scotland can only enhance the spotlight on the Scottish league,' he said.
'Certainly Steven, if he was to come into it, on the back of his playing career, would be a box-office name.
'It would be another high-profile name coming into the game if it happens. He is a global name and someone who has had a fantastic career.
'He was arguably the best midfielder around for a while and a leader of Liverpool and the England national team.
'We have a lot of good managers operating here at the minute. Steven would only add to that. There's a lot good about our game but we're too quick to criticise and look at the deficiencies.
'As a country we look at our neighbours in England who have the richest league in the world on our doorstep and sometimes the comparisons are unfair.
'The game is not perfect up here but there are a lot of positive stories going on at the minute and a lot of good work is done.
'We've always been very competitive and arguably our league has been more exciting than the Premier League in England this season. This season has probably been the best for drama and excitement for a long time.'
Hibs counterpart Neil Lennon, however, questioned Gerrard's decision to leave Liverpool for the Rangers cauldron and is baffled by the idea that his status as a star player guarantees him success in a completely new environment.
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