Steven Gerrard did an excellent job at Rangers, but even he would admit that he didn't get everything right in his early days at the club. The way he dealt with the media was criticised at times, while the team were also inconsistent during his first couple of seasons in charge.
He would manage to win a league title before his time in Glasgow came to an end, but the gap between Celtic and Rangers at the time of his arrival did come as somewhat of a shock to him.
Speaking on The Overlap, the Aston Villa manager admitted that while he knew overhauling Celtic would be a bit task, he was a bit shocked at the extent of the rebuild that was needed.
I knew that there was a gap, I probably realised when I got into the job that the gap was a lot bigger.
There was a lot to be done in terms of improving the infrastructure and facilities. It needed a better medical department, it needed a better canteen, it needed a better gym, it needed better football pitches. It needed a lot of things doing.
You go up there and realise that there is a lot things needed doing other than improving the team...
When we first played Brendan Rodgers' team, he really outplayed us. There was a bit gap in terms of quality and the players that he had.
With time, we had to do a full a recycle of the whole XI and even beyond that.
As mentioned above, Gerrard's early days in Scotland did not pass without criticism.
He was very spiky with members of the press at times, also rubbing up opposition players and managers on occasion. That is something he now looks back on with regret.
One particular fixture springs to mind. It came when Rangers defeated Celtic in an Old Firm game at Parkhead in December of 2019.
THAT'S how it feels for Steven Gerrard - massive win for @RangersFC and their boss!
📺 Reaction on Sky Sports Football right now - and follow our blog: https://t.co/TS1n3JhE4c pic.twitter.com/t1wI1m38N8— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 29, 2019
Steven Gerrard pushing the camera at full-time shows his passion pic.twitter.com/mrGVCyKpEK
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 29, 2019
Gerrard says he regrets how he behaved after that game:
Maybe (he regretted) going into the media and answering a few questions where I thought 'why have I said that, why did I let myself get there'.
I remember once we beat Celtic at Celtic Park and there had been a lot of mud flying with ex-players and pundits in the media, it's not that I go looking for it.
We beat Celtic at Celtic Park and I was probably a bit overboard with my celebrations on the pitch and with Neil Lennon, which I regret.
At the same, it's like a constant windup from their side with the success. I feel it, I am emotional and it's something I'm working on and getting better at.
He has certainly grown as a manger since then, although it's unlikely he will be welcomed back to Celtic Park with open arms anytime soon.
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