Steven Gerrard's former teammate shuts down Rangers return talk with key factor that may prevent Ibrox reunion
An important off-field issue could halt the Liverpool legend from returning to Govan as Philippe Clement’s successor
Steven Gerrard might not be able to make a potentially stunning return to Rangers in the near future due to tax reasons, according to his former England teammate, Alan Shearer.
With pressure on current Ibrox manager Philippe Clement, fans have already turned against the Belgian and speculation has begun to focus on who could possible become his next successor.
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes has been regularly linked with the job, but Gerrard - who previously managed the club for three and a half years and memorably prevented Celtic from winning ten-in-a-row - is another figure who has been tipped to return to his old stomping ground should Clement be dismissed.
.jpeg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
The Liverpool great guided the Light Blues to their 55th Premiership title back in 2021, but Newcastle United legend turned BBC pundit Shearer has raised an important off-field issue that could scupper a return to Govan for Gerrard, who finds himself on the brink of being sacked by Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.
While acknowledging that Gerrard enjoyed his time in Glasgow, SHearer reckons the money factor could come into his thinking due to the astronomical finances his former international team mate will be earning in the Middle East.
He told Betfair: “Rangers manager Phillippe Clement is under pressure with the club not where it wants to be, nine points behind both Aberdeen and Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. Steven Gerrard has been linked with a return to the club, because I see his recent results in Saudi and he's getting a bit of stick at the moment.
“However, as a manager he will know, you will always get criticism at some stage. I don't know what's going on at Rangers, I read the reports like everyone else, and the club is certainly not where it wants to be. They are not getting results and there's problems off the field, so whether that would appeal to Steven if things don't improve in Saudi, who knows.
“I do know that when he was at Rangers, he had an incredible time there and gave them great moments, so he'll be fondly thought of, and I guess some would love him back for how he won the league there and for toppling Celtic. However, I don't know how Steven's life is going, whether he's enjoying Saudi Arabia and for tax reasons, he may not be able to come back yet!”