Steven Gerrard makes Rangers admission that will please Derek McInnes after Ibrox return

Steven Gerrard has given Derek McInnes his full backing after revealing he has “nothing but respect” for the current Rangers manager.

The former Ibrox boss was speaking on Open Goal after returning to the stadium for another Old Firm fixture, where he watched the game from the directors’ box alongside former Rangers players Andy Halliday and Scott Arfield as Dan Neil netted a brace alongside Kevin Kelsy’s first Rangers goal in a 3-0 Premier Sports Cup win.

Gerrard was also asked whether he could ever see himself returning to Rangers as manager in the future.

His answer was simple: “Who knows?”

Gerrard backs McInnes

However, the former Rangers boss was keen to make clear that he has no intention of disrespecting McInnes or his position at the club, instead offering an emphatic show of support for the man currently in charge.

“I've been reluctant to come up for a certain amount of time and sit in the box with a suit on and blah blah because I don't want to disrespect any manager that is in position,” Gerrard said.

“I have got nothing but respect for Derek McInnes.

“He was one of the toughest challenges for us as a group of staff when he was at Aberdeen.”

Gerrard's comments are particularly notable given the battles between his Rangers side and McInnes' Aberdeen teams during his time in charge at Ibrox.

The former Liverpool captain went on to make clear that he wants to see McInnes succeed with Rangers and believes the club's current boss deserves the opportunity to continue his work.

“I hope he does well,” Gerrard added.

“I hope the club goes on and be successful where they maybe don't need to come and ask someone like me.

“I follow Rangers, I follow the results, I love the club and I want Derek McInnes to be successful, I've got nothing but respect for him.”

Gerrard's love for Gers

Gerrard's affection for Rangers was also clear as he reflected on his return to Ibrox.

The 46-year-old admitted that simply driving towards the stadium and seeing Rangers supporters heading to the ground brought back strong emotions.

“I loved being at the game,” he said. “I went in the box speaking to Andy [Halliday] and Scott [Arfield].

“Just watching another Old Firm. Seeing driving up to the stadium, the scarves and being back in Ibrox and that, it was some buzz.”

While Gerrard did not rule out the possibility of managing Rangers again one day, his immediate focus appears to be elsewhere.

The former Rangers manager revealed he has received offers and held discussions with clubs since leaving Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq but is currently enjoying his life away from the dugout.

“At the moment I am happy, I am doing TV with TNT. I have signed a new deal,” Gerrard said.

“I have got some other bits and bobs that I do, some commercial stuff.

“I became a grandad a year ago. I'm loving being around the family, I get enough time off and my work-life balance is great.

“I've had quite a few offers and chats with teams and stuff but at the moment I am really happy with what I am doing.”

Gerrard avoids repeat of Beale situation

There is also an interesting contrast with what happened during Giovanni van Bronckhorst's time in charge.

Michael Beale, Gerrard's former assistant at Rangers, was in attendance at Ibrox during his spell in charge of Queens Park Rangers, which coincided with a period when pressure was building on the Dutchman.

Beale would eventually return to Rangers as manager following Van Bronckhorst's departure, taking charge in November 2022.

Gerrard's approach on his latest visit to Ibrox has been noticeably different.

Rather than allowing his presence to become a talking point while another Rangers manager is in the dugout, the former boss has gone out of his way to praise McInnes and stress that he does not want to disrespect the current incumbent.

His comments about McInnes therefore carry added significance.

That is perhaps the clearest indication yet that, whatever the future holds, Gerrard is not looking to undermine McInnes or create unnecessary noise around the Rangers manager's position.

Gerrard's “Who knows?” answer will inevitably fuel speculation about whether he could ever return to Ibrox for Rangers fans but his strongest message from his latest appearance was not about his own future.

It was his backing of McInnes, and his clear desire to see the current Rangers boss succeed.