Steven Gerrard On Rangers Shortlist For Manager

Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard is on a shortlist to become the new manager of Rangers.

The 37-year-old, who is currently a Liverpool academy coach, has been highlighted as a possible replacement for Graeme Murty.

Murty was put in place until the end of the season after a spell as interim boss following the sacking of Pedro Caixinha in October.

But he is unlikely to be given the job on a permanent basis.

Gerrard retired as a player in 2016 and joined the youth set-up at Anfield after knocking back an offer to become manager of MK Dons.

The former midfielder witnessed at first hand the Ibrox atmosphere in March when he attended Rangers' 3-2 defeat by champions-elect Celtic.

And Rangers chairman Dave King was at Anfield on Tuesday as Liverpool beat Roma in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Former Reading and Scotland full-back Murty joined Rangers in August 2016 as head coach of their development squad.

The 43-year-old had a month-long spell as caretaker before Caixinha's appointment, after Mark Warburton left in February 2017.

Having reverted to his previous role, Murty was again placed in interim control after the Portuguese was sacked. He was told in December he would remain in charge until the end of the season.

Rangers are second in the Premiership with four games remaining.

However, this month's 4-0 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Celtic led to protests at Sunday's home league win over Hearts.

It was also followed by the suspension of captain Lee Wallace and veteran striker Kenny Miller following an angry post-match dressing-room exchange with Murty.

The Ibrox side travel to Celtic Park on Sunday, when a victory for Brendan Rodgers' side in the Glasgow derby will secure a seventh consecutive title.

Analysis - 'He could be a great man manager'.

Scotland manager Alex McLeish: "Steven knows the game inside out and with regard to coaching, I am sure he has got some things to learn.

"He won't have all the answers to that but I am certain he is somebody who could be a great man manager.

"I hear the way he is coaching the kids and giving them the Liverpool values and what it takes, and sometimes that gets missed in the process of growing up - that passion and enthusiasm for every game.

"The kids at Liverpool have got a good leader in there."

Former England and Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson: "[He has] All the qualities a club will be looking for in their manager - honesty, dedication, experience, enthusiasm, intelligence, deep knowledge of the game.

"Everyone, when they take on their first job, lacks experience. You only get your first job because someone has seen in you the qualities they are looking for in their new manager or head coach.

"I would have no doubts about Steven in that role, but I don't know anything about the speculation and I haven't spoken to Steven about it."

FROM   .bbc.com/sport/football