The Steven Gerrard Rangers board demand as Ibrox chiefs ‘kick can down the road’ with Philippe Clement

The Steven Gerrard Rangers board demand as Ibrox chiefs ‘kick can down the road’ with Philippe Clement

Steven Gerrard was told by the Rangers board he had to win the league and a cup at Ibrox before departing for Aston Villa.

That’s according to Jermain Defoe amid speculation the title-winning boss could be set to replace under-fire boss Philippe Clement. Liverpool icon Gerrardhas endured a tough management career since leaving Glasgow after being shown the door Villa Park door before his ill-fated Saudi Pro League gamble with Al-Ettifaq came to an abrupt end earlier in the season with the club facing a relegation scrap.

However, with the club facing up to the prospect of a trophyless campaign under Clement – barring a massive collapse by Celtic in the Premiership or a Europa League triumph – pressure on the Belgian has ramped up. Gerrard – who lifted the Scottish title in 2021 – has been touted as the favourite to succeed Clement should he be shown the door.

And former Light Blues striker Defoe has lifted the lid on the expectations that the Rangers’ powerbrokers placed on the boss – and the player – after dethroning Celtic. Discussing the demands that will have been made to Ange Postecoglou by Daniel Levy at Tottenham, he told Sky Sports: ”I suppose only obviously the manager who has managed can answer that question.

”I can remember being at Rangers and Stevie actually said that. We’ve won the league, the next season was like ‘right, I’ve been told that we have to win the league and win a cup’.