Steven Gerrard insists he still has the backing of the Rangers board

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard. Picture: Alan Harvey / SNS | 2020 SNS Group

Steven Gerrard says he has been given backing from the Rangers board in the face of the on-field crisis that has enveloped his team.

The Ibrox manager’s future has been cast into doubt following back-to-back defeats that have brought him to the low point of his two seasons in charge.

A Scottish Cup exit at Hearts followed by a home league loss to Hamilton means that the absence of a major honour at Ibrox will likely stretch into a tenth season.

An arduous week that will see Rangers face Ross County, Bayer Leverkusen and Celtic will present further challenges. However, asked if his paymasters had expressed confidence in his ability to “get it right”, Gerrard said: “Collectively as a group they have. I think the board have seen enough over the 20 months, with this same group of players, that they are capable of getting through this. Of course confidence has been hit. A few things have been hit of late. This is a challenge for all of us to prove that we can. That starts today.”

Probed on the support he has received from outgoing chairman Dave King – the pivotal figure in his appointment – Gerrard said the backing came from all the directors.

“I don’t necessarily want to quote just Dave on that comment,” he said. “Yes [I have spoken to him], but I have regular contact with Dave so I don’t want it to look as if he has supported me on the back of a few bad results. He has supported me since day one. This week, during the bad results, all the board have been there for me, and been rock solid. I think any manager at this football club needs that.”