da bet vitoria： Having announced his departure from LA Galaxy yesterday, the rumour mill is ablaze that Steven Gerrard could be making a return to British football.
da 888casino： Speculation has centred around Celtic and his former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers being the combination that could entice him back to these shores. Although it may seem like a somewhat lazy link given that the midfielder and the Northern Irishman worked together at Liverpool, ‘Stevie G’ did enjoy somewhat of a renaissance under the Ulsterman, who moved him into a deep-lying role, so he may indeed be tempted.
Will such a move come off? The club and Rodgers have distanced themselves from the rumours saying it’s pure speculation, but then that’s what managers always say until the deal is done.
In our eyes such a move would be a masterstroke by Rodgers and here are FIVE reasons why…
He can still play
Major League Soccer is often characterised as being a footballer’s graveyard but it’s a league improving all the time. Certainly, it’s on or above the standard of Scottish football so the fact that Gerrard has made close to 40 appearances for Galaxy in the last 18 months should bring comfort to any Celtic fan wondering if he still has what it takes to play week in, week out.
He might not be the world class talent he once was but the above video shows he can influence games with his dead ball delivery, eye for a pass and trademark sweeping finishes past goalkeepers. The Bhoys are crying out for a deep lying midfield player that can provide such an influence, as it’s an area of the pitch they lack options in.
Leadership and winning mentality
At Celtic, it’s about winning every game. Whether you’re playing Manchester City or Ross County the fans always have big hopes and high expectations. Some talented players and managers crumble under such demands but for Gerrard that’s just his nature.
The midfielder won eight major honours with Liverpool and countless more individual prizes. He could be the x-factor that can push Celtic over the line to secure a first domestic treble in over 15 years. Many talented Celtic sides, even those to have romped home in the league, have fallen just short of that feat in the cups. We couldn’t think of a more suitable player to show up on the big occasions at Hampden.
Rodgers knows how to tap into peak Gerrard
Gerrard came closest to winning the English Premier League title that eluded him his entire career under the management of Rodgers.
Rodgers’ arrival at Anfield saw a resurgence in Gerrard, with the veteran playing some of the best football of his entire career, even though he was well into his thirties. Where else, other than perhaps to Rafa Benitez at Newcastle, could Gerrard go that would bring out the best he can offer in this twilight stage of his career?
Steven Gerrard: coach and mentor
Celtic’s ambitions are to be a team that can regularly achieve UEFA Champions League football and eventually to once again progress from the group stages. It’s an increasingly uphill battle given the difference in resources between the Glasgow club and the rest of Europe’s top teams, so it’s young talent that Rodgers must turn to.
That might seem at odds with the potential signing of Gerrard but he’d be a fantastic addition to help young talent like Kieran Tierney and Moussa Dembele mature into big-game players.
It’s no secret that Gerrard is keen to move into coaching once he hangs his boots up and under the guidance of former manager Rodgers at Celtic’s top class Lennoxtown training facility, we can barely think of a better place to do it.
Big names, big crowds, big feelings
If nothing else, Rodgers’ arrival to the Bhoys has proven that if the decision makers bring the big names to Celtic Park, the fans will follow.
There’s no doubt that the good feeling surrounding the club this season is partly due to big names like Rodgers, Kolo Toure and Scott Sinclair arriving to ply their trade north of the border.
The arrival of Gerrard would only enhance the feeling for fans that they’re getting bang for their buck when they pay their way into Paradise. It’s the kind of off the pitch momentum that is feeding into the team’s performances every time they step onto the pitch.
Who, apart from the opposition, wouldn’t want to see an iconic footballer like Gerrard pull on the Hoops and marshal the midfield in front of a sell out crowd?