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The Steven Gerrards Effect.
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Steven Gerrard inherited a fractured club and broken dressing-room but has united Rangers... he will not settle for finishing second behind Celtic
22:14 GMT 27 Dec 2018, updated 00:23 GMT
HSteven Gerrard would have settled for this scenario at his unveiling as Rangers boss in May - beat Celtic in your first Old Firm derby at Ibrox and you'll join them at the top of the Scottish Premiership entering 2019.
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Victory on Saturday will be no small task - their last in this league fixture was six years ago - but to be within striking distance of their fierce rivals ahead of the winter break is reason enough to return a glowing half-term report on their rookie boss.
Brendan Rodgers' Celtic, do not forget, were 1-12 favourites for the title before a ball was kicked.
Steven Gerrard has Rangers within striking distance of Celtic at the halfway stageGerrard inherited a fractured club and broken dressing-room but has succeeded in uniting a great institution, making them competitive and restoring pride.
He has, though, refused to indulge in fanfare and is forever keen to temper optimism.
But when assessing his first six months in management it is impossible to escape the conclusion that the suit fits, both literally and metaphorically. He looks the part and acts it, even if there have been a few collar-loosening moments along the way.
There has been no shortage of criticism either, that is the way in Glasgow when you fail to win every week, but the good has far outweighed the bad.
A 1-0 loss to Aberdeen in the semi-final of the League Cup ranks as his darkest day, after which Gerrard told his players they would be shipped out if they were not up to winning trophies.
Gerrard has united a great institution, making them competitive and restoring pride
He has, though, refused to indulge in fanfare and is forever keen to temper optimism
Steven Gerrard hugged and kissed by fans at Liverpool's airport
That is the standard he has set, never once asking for a free hit during a season where 'transition' was a ready-made excuse.
Gerrard wants to win the league, not finish an honourable second. Just like he wanted to win the League Cup and qualify for the knockout stage of the Europa League, another quest in which he was to fall short, although enormous credit is due after negotiating four qualifying rounds.
'The business I am in, it is cut-throat, it is brutal,' he said after the defeat to Aberdeen. 'If we keep suffering setbacks and results like that moving forward, I am not going to be here.
'Don't sign up for it, don't come here if you are not prepared to cope with that responsibility and pressure.'
It was at a press conference a few days later that Gerrard then interrupted a reporter who pressed young midfielder Jordan Rossiter on his manager's comments.
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'I'll answer that,' Gerrard cut in. 'That's for me, not him. It's a warning. At a big club, we expect big players to step up on big occasions and provide big moments.
Gerrard wants to win the Scottish Premiership, not finish an honourable second
To be involved in a title race is why Rangers chose Gerrard and why he chose them
'If that doesn't happen, at any big club, the managers and the recruitment will find better players.'
That day at Hampden Park punctured early promise but the response to Gerrard's barb was a run of 13 points from 15 to take Rangers to the top of the table for the first time under his charge.
Gerrard's reaction, however, was to declare that reaching the summit meant 'nothing' to him. Given that Celtic would soon reclaim top spot he was right to disregard what would have been small-time celebration.
But to be involved in a title race is why Rangers chose Gerrard and, perhaps more so, why he chose them.
'It is a wonderful club and I just hope that, come the business end, we are still in this position where there is a lot of attention and focus on us,' he said.
'I don't see myself being a manager of numerous clubs throughout my career. I think it has to be a certain draw, it has to give me a certain feeling.
'I turned down quite a few jobs before I got this opportunity. I said on day one that it felt different.'
Rangers dropped points on Boxing Day despite a first half goal from Alfredo Morelos
Defender Connor Goldson at £3million from Brighton already looks worth treble that amount
Day one was May 4 when 7,000 fans gathered around the iconic red-brick entrance on Edmiston Drive.
'He's blue, he's white, he's f****** dynamite, Steve Gerrard' penetrated the panes of Ibrox and was audible to all inside, including Gerrard.
'I thought this was going to be a secret!' he grinned.
What he made no secret of was his ambition, such aspiration in turn putting pressure on the board to deliver the players he wants - no fewer than 14 have been signed on his say-so.
The likes of defender Connor Goldson at £3million from Brighton already look worth treble that amount under Gerrard's guidance.
Players say he is inspirational yet economical with his dressing-room deliveries, there is no need to complicate or decorate his message.
His training is hard, it is said, but his manner is measured, even if his patience has worn thin after eight red cards already this season.
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Gerrard and his former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers come face-to-face again on Saturday
The relationship between the two, however, is far from pally, even if a mutual respect exists
He is firm but fair in his handling of the press, too, popular among those who cover the beat on a weekly basis.
Former Rangers star Ian Durrant - the man about whom the original 'f****** dynamite' tribute was chorused - has likened Gerrard's galvanising impact to that of Graeme Souness 32 years ago.
It was not until 13 matches in that Gerrard suffered his first defeat, and that a 1-0 reverse in his first Old Firm at Celtic Park on the back of a 5,000-mile round trip to Russia in a Europa League qualifier less than 72 hours earlier.
The result of that game is the difference between the sides heading into Saturday's lunchtime showdown, ahead of which public pleasantries between Gerrard and his former Liverpool boss Rodgers are sure to be exchanged.
Their relationship, however, is far from pally, even if a mutual respect exists.
Gerrard wants to beat Rodgers, not just on Saturday, but come May. Only then will he return assessment on himself.
Steven Gerrard unveiled as Rangers manager at Ibrox
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