Inside man shares how deep Rangers and 49ers truly got in Steven Gerrard talks after failed return bid
Liverpool legend was the clear front-runner to succeed Russell Martin last month before the Ibrox club appointed Danny Rohl
Gary McAllister has revealed that he wasn’t being lined up for a role at Rangers under Steven Gerrard - confessing he never expected a call to reunited with the Liverpool hero.
Ex-Light Blues boss Gerrard looks poised to make a sensational return to Ibrox when they were searching for an early season replacement for Russell Martin last month before he dramatically withdrew from the process.
It was later stated the timing wasn't right for the Scouser to head back to the UK, and there were added fears that Gerrard had concerns about working in the current structure at the club.
McAllister was one of Gerrard’s assistants during his first spell in Govan, along with Michael Beale, as they successfully delivered the club’s 55th league title and their first since being demoted to League Two and subsequent journey back up through the divisions.
Gary McAllister reveals extent of Rangers return discussions with Gerrard
But the former Gers No.2 admits he would never presume he would get the call to return north of the border as he opened up on the situation at the time Gerrard was in discussions with the board.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, McAllister stated: “I'm never presumptuous, but there was no (call about Rangers). Obviously, I've spoken to him, I speak to him regularly, you know, during this period, being over in the Middle East and stuff, but they weren't quite close enough to having that chat.”
Gerrard withdrew from the running for the manager's role to keep his family based in the Middle East, despite flying to London to hold talks with the club’s new American hierarchy last month.
And while McAllister has fond memories of his time in Glasgow, the former Scotland midfielder acknowledged that their subsequent stint at Aston Villa didn't go as planned.
He commented: “We had a fantastic time when we went up to Glasgow Rangers, it went ever so well. There was a definite job brief going in there. And I thought Steven in his first job did brilliantly well.
“Villa didn't go as well as we wished it to go. Again, it's like any of the little theories that come up with, because it went wrong, tends to sound a wee bit like excuses. So I won't go down that road.
“It just didn't work. The signings we made got injured very early. And it just, we had a couple of bad results. But then moving on, going over to Saudi, that was just too far to go away from my family.
“But back home, you never say never. I'm never presumptuous to think that because we did well four or five years ago at Glasgow Rangers that I'd get the call. But as you know, I'm very close to Steven.
Gary McAllister confident Gerrard still has drive for management return
McAllister is confident Gerrard still has the drive to return to management, despite his ill-fated spell in Saudi Arabia.
He added: “I've seen a few of his recent interviews, and obviously speaking to him over the last couple of years when he was over in Saudi, I don't think he's lost the hunger to go back in.
“I can see it in his eye as well. So I think, come the right moment, the right sort of job, somewhere where there's a chance of making something happen, I'm sure he would be a willing listener.”