Steven Gerrard will bring top players to Rangers, says Terry Butcher
Wednesday 9 May 2018 21:48, UK
Former Rangers captain Terry Butcher believes Steven Gerrard will attract the calibre of players to Ibrox that can challenge Celtic.
Gerrard was appointed Rangers manager on a four-year deal last week and will begin work on June 1.
Butcher, who captained Rangers to three league titles in four seasons, says Gerrard is a long overdue boost for Scottish football, and Rangers in particular.
The former England captain, who was in the Sky Sports News studio to discuss a new film about the late Sir Bobby Robson called 'Sir Bobby Robson: More than a Manager', said: "He [Gerrard] has got to build it up in small blocks rather than just saying, 'Right here we go, we're going to catch Celtic'.
"He needs a lot of funds to do that, he needs funds available and the right players to come in.
"But players are going to sign for Steven Gerrard. You are going to go to Scotland because it is Steven Gerrard who's the manager rather than someone else who you think 'I'm not too sure'. He will get players to Rangers if they've got the money."
Butcher was asked what he thinks will be Gerrard's biggest challenge when he begins work.
"Celtic, that will be his biggest challenge because you are always judged against Celtic," he added.
"Can he beat Celtic in a match? That is the challenge that he's got. If he can do that then he will be an instant hero, straight away… bang… done.
"[As a player] we won our first game against Celtic 1-0 and all the English press were up watching the game and they were saying, 'Why did you come up here?' and I said, 'That's why I came up here' - because of the atmosphere and the win.
"It would be nice for Steven Gerrard to do that as well 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.
"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."
'Sir Bobby Robson: More than a Manager' is in selected cinemas on June 1 and is available to pre-order now.
