Nacho Novo and Rangers coach comment on future of Steven Gerrard

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Steven Gerrard is coming under increasing pressure as Rangers manager after being knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Hearts on Saturday evening – but Nacho Novo and Kevin Thomson have jumped to the defence of the Gers boss.

Comments after the 1-0 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle, which saw Alfredo Morelos’ absence hit the Gers hard, saw supporters begin to speculate that Gerrard could be considering his future as manager of the club.

Crestfallen, Gerrard was quoted by the Sun as saying: “I just need to think, I am feeling pain right now because I want to win here. I’m very disappointed. It’s the lowest I felt since I came into the job by a long way.”

Rangers had come into the match after qualifying for the last 16 of the Europa League with a stunning 4-2 aggregate win over Braga. It had seen Rangers fans revel in their European progress, especially with Celtic losing to Copenhagen.

Gerrard, 39, who has been touted to finally succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, has a contract at Rangers until the summer of 2024 – the same length of contract as Klopp’s Liverpool deal. Novo and Rangers youth coach Thomson reacted on social media.

TBR’s view – Are Rangers better off under Gerrard?

Without a doubt. Many may point to his lack of trophies in his two seasons at Ibrox, or the inability to cope with Celtic who remain 12 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table – but he has improved the club enormously.

The stature has risen massively, thanks mainly to their success in the Europa League. A group-stage finish last season, and a last 16 tie with Bayer Leverkusen has helped improve the coefficient.

The class at Ibrox has been restored, but that means so too has the expectancy. A strong finish to 2019-20 will give Gerrard and Rangers restored hope that they can stop 10 in a row next season.