"Rangers playing against Celtic with [Pep] Guardiola in charge isn't necessarily going to be able to challenge them at this particular stage," says former Hoops boss Barnes
Thursday 3 May 2018 06:20, UK
Former Liverpool player and Celtic manager John Barnes says Steven Gerrard will be "going in at the deep end" if he takes over as Rangers manager.
Barnes, whose first management position came at Celtic but lasted less than a year, believes it will be a tough time for the former England and Liverpool captain to take over at Ibrox following a damaging month which has included two heavy defeats to their Old Firm rivals.
"If he wants to manage, it's going in at the deep end," Barnes told Sky Sports. "And probably at a time when Rangers obviously aren't their strongest.
"It's a little bit different from when I went because as much as Rangers probably financially were stronger than Celtic at that time, Celtic could still compete with them.
"Now, of course, it will take time.
"But financially they are a long way away, which means they are not going to be able to get the players in the next year or two to necessarily challenge Celtic at this point."
Barnes warned Rangers supporters that if they are looking for a quick fix, they should not get their hopes up too much and give Gerrard the time to make the necessary changes at the club.
"I think the Rangers fans have to understand that and be realistic in terms of the expectation that if Steven Gerrard comes, it's not all of a sudden going to fall into place because Steven's there," said Barnes.
Pedro Caixinha and Graeme Murty have both been sacked by Rangers this season but Barnes thinks Gerrard's big-game experience will help him manage the expectation and intensity put on the manager by the club's fans.
"Well of course it's going to be equally intense if not more intense," Barnes said.
"However, in Merseyside derbies, [Liverpool] were equal to - in fact they were better than - Everton in many respects and England were able to compete against whoever they played against.
"Rangers playing against Celtic with [Pep] Guardiola in charge isn't necessarily going to be able to challenge them at this particular stage."
Despite Gerrard having no experience at senior management level, Barnes still thinks the move would be a good one - and that the former midfielder would have a strong right-hand man if Gary McAllister joined him.
"This will be his first job, but he's not naive enough to think that all of a sudden, 'I'm going to turn it around'," said Barnes.
"I think it will be a good move for Steven - I think if he wants to manage, I think he can be very good.
"If Gary McAllister goes there - who understands the situation - that could also help if that's a possibility.
"The whole idea of players just going to Rangers because Steven Gerrard is there - that doesn't happen anywhere in football anymore. It's more to do with the fact that if you have more money to pay them, the better players they will come.
"At this moment, I think Rangers being in the top division for three to four years to get that money and possibility get into the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League, the money can be there for them hopefully in the not too distant future."
