After making some progress under Steven Gerrard last season, Rangers will surely enter the upcoming campaign with aspirations of mounting a serious title challenge. With Celtic well on their way to a much coveted 10-in-a-row, they will need to act fast to end their dominance of Scottish football.
Gerrard has been quietly confident of changing the dynamic of power within Glasgow ever since he took the Rangers job, and it was reported this week that his confidence had grown even further.
Former Rangers striker, and questionable broadcaster, Andy Gray had claimed that Gerrard had told him that his team would win the league this season. The pair met after the Scottish side's game against Marseille on Sunday, and Gray said the ex-Liverpool captain was convinced his side would end their title drought in 2020.
However, Gerrard has now rubbished those claims. While he admits speaking to Gray, he aid there was no talk of title certainty.
I’m not sure where that’s come from because I’ve never spoken to Andy Gray about winning the league. That’s never come out of my mouth.
I had a conversation with Andy after the game about Qatar and the World Cup. We spoke about certain areas in Qatar for us to maybe try for a pre-season or winter break.
Those were the only two topics on the conversation. I never spoke to Andy Gray about winning the league.
I don’t think I’m naive enough to say anything like that to anyone.
Wouldn't be like Andy Gray to take such liberties in fairness.
While those bullish comments may not have been accurate, Gerrard does have plenty of belief in his side ahead of the upcoming season.
What I will say if people bring up that topic up is that we are prepared to put up a fight and challenge.
We are always respectful to other teams that we are up against and the situation up here over the last few years.
I just don’t think there is any need before a ball is kicked to say something like that.
All I can say is I categorically deny that came out of my mouth.
We are confident, we’ve got belief. We believe we’ve progressed and the squad is a lot stronger. We want to put up the best challenge we can and I’ll back my players.
But I won’t be making any rash or bold or naive comments before a ball is kicked. I don’t think it’s necessary.
