Rangers boss Steven Gerrard tipped for English Championship role before he can manage in Premier League

John Barnes says move south would be attractive to Ibrox manager

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard.

Former Celtic manager John Barnes has offered an assessment of Steven Gerrard’s first two seasons in charge of Rangers and concluded the Ibrox boss is not yet ready to manage in the English Premier League.

Gerrard has so far been unable to break Celtic’s stranglehold on the Scottish game and is still seeking his first trophy as a manager.

His Rangers side showed signs of improvement in the season just ended, running the Parkhead side close in the League Cup final and mounting a challenge in the league in the first half of the season before falling away after the winter break.

John Barnes managed Celtic in the 1999-2000 season but was sacked after a shock Scottish Cup exit.

Celtic were 13 points clear of their Glasgow rivals when the season was ended with eight rounds of fixtures remaining, although Rangers had a game in hand. Neil Lennon’s side were declared champions based on a points won per game average.

Barnes thinks Gerrard needs to prove himself in Scotland a bit more before returning to England but acknowledges it will be very difficult to end Celtic’s dominance, given their financial superiority.

“Steven has shown that he is a good manager and I believe he is where he should be," Barnes told BonusCodeBets.co.uk. “You shouldn't expect Rangers to be insulted because they’re not as good as Celtic because it has nothing to do with issues of managing Rangers.

“But at the end of the day Celtic is superior which may be down to the financial differences of the two clubs and the strength of players, and just now, Rangers is behind despite Steven being a good manager.”

Given Gerrard’s long association with Liverpool, there is an assumption he will one day manage the Anfield club but Barnes feels he may need to manage in England’s second tier first.

“I’m sure Steven would see himself managing a club in England, as that is most likely a more attractive proposition than Rangers possibly,” added Barnes, who was sacked by Celtic in 2000 after less than a season in charge following a shock Scottish Cup defeat by Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

“However, it may not be a Premier League club but a Championship Club and would that be as attractive as Rangers? I don’t know is the answer; Steve is only one that can decide. I’ll think he’ll stay where he is for time being…but never say never.”