Stuart McCall identifies two key factors behind Steven Gerrard's Rangers success

  Stuart McCall thinks that man-management and recruitment have been the two key factors behind Steven Gerrard's successes as Rangers manager. Gerrard took over the Gers in 2018. The former Liverpool man will lift the Scottish Premiership title for the first time in few weeks. This season's title will be the 55th for the Gers as they end Celtic's 9-year reign. Gerrard's side failed to win either the Scottish League Cup or the Scottish Cup and were eliminated in the round of 16 of the Europa League. McCall said: “Sir Alex Ferguson named a few things you needed for management, the last of which was luck – and that certainly plays a big part. “But the two key things are man management, which is just getting the best out of your players, and recruitment. Now sometimes, these days, the recruitment is done by different people. “But the recruitment at Rangers, Tavernier was already there but Steven has added some fantastic buys. “What pleases me most is Steven Gerrard was offered a three-year contract. Hats off to Dave King for getting him in and tying him down. And for giving him the three years to go and work. “Last year, with the two cup defeats to Aberdeen, the drop-off in the league, there were questions being asked. Steven himself was the first one to mention the loyalty shown by the board. “But he merited that. He merited the trust. If people above you trust you then, as a manager, you can develop. The work on the training ground is now coming to fruition, everything the backroom staff work on. “And the development of the players has been huge. Everyone has improved." McCall said: “When you talk about Player of the Year, you could have picked anyone in a different stage. “Aribo had a great month, Kent had a great month, they’ve all impressed at different times. “But Goldson, Davis, Tavernier and McGregor have built the defence that allowed Rangers to show flair at the top. And that comes from the people in charge showing faith in the manager. “Why the belief was there was obvious. For starters, the European performances in all three seasons were really good. “But there was also noticeable progress when they went head-to-head with Celtic. "It’s not so long ago that I used to dread watching Old Firm games, expecting a 3-0 or a 4-0 hammering. "But he’s turned that round, got some good victories in those games – and been allowed time to build, put his hallmark down. "The recruitment has been terrific. But it’s all right signing players, you then have to develop them. He’s done that." source - GlasgowTimes

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