Blockbuster Steven Gerrard return to Rangers forces cynical Liverpool best mate to insist 'never say never'

Danny Murphy admits he struggles to see a scenario where Steven Gerrard returns to Rangers and reckons his former Liverpool team-mate is most likely heading to the English Championship as his next managerial destination.

Gerrard is managing in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ettifaq but is coming under increasing pressure following a nightmare run in the Middle East. And that, coupled with Philippe Clement's struggles at Ibrox, has seen Gerrard touted for an emotional Govan comeback.

But Murphy, who played alongside the man who took the Scottish Premiership title to Ibrox in 2021, doesn't believe it's realistic. Speaking to Boylesports, who offer the latest Champions League odds, he said: "It would be hard to replicate what Steven Gerrard did at Rangers before because they're struggling. Their squad is inferior to Celtic and the gap has got much bigger since he left. But he's a determined man who wants to work hard and if he was to go back there and then win the league again and overcome Celtic again then it would be a huge achievement. It’s hard to see him being back there but never say never."

Gerrard left Rangers for Aston Villa but failed in the English Premier League and Murphy reckons that could mean a stint in the second tier if he returns to England. He said: "Realistically, you'd have to say with Stevie it's more likely to be a Championship club than a Premier League club because of his Aston Villa job looking like a failure if you like.

"So yeah, I would like to see him coaching here again, it'd be nice to see him back. It's about waiting for that chance. I admire the fact, obviously, there's a financial reward for going to Saudi, but rather than sitting at home wiggling his thumbs waiting for something. He