Inside Steven Gerrard's inner circle as Kevin Thomson taps into Rangers connection in coaching return attempt

Out-of-work Kevin Thomson takes comfort in the fact he can always call former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard for advice.

Thomson worked in the Ibrox academy when Gerrard was gaffer between 2018 and 2021 and struck up a rapport with the Liverpool legend. He even visited him at Aston Villa after Gerrard left Gers to become their manager. Gerrard is currently in Saudi Arabia with Pro-League outfit Al-Ettifaq and Thomson has revealed he’s still in touch.

He said: “I’ve spoken to Steven many times – to see if he needs a ball boy in Saudi! Seriously, he’s someone I built up a good relationship with. The fact he still takes time to send a few WhatsApp messages – I’d like to think it shows he saw value in me. He’s a bit of a closed book so I’m in a privileged position in that sense. If I was not the kind of person he’d take to, I’m sure his door wouldn’t be as open.

“I spent time at Villa and he was brilliant. I feel good about it – that I can call him and not feel embarrassed to do so.”

Thomson has admitted he would love to return to Rangers as a coach. The former midfielder, who won five major trophies and reached a European final as a player at the club, previously worked with their Under-18 and B teams.

The 39-year-old is keen to get back into the game after a spell at Kelty Hearts and has already broached the subject of going back to Gers. Thomson said: “I’ve met Creag Robertson (director of football operations) at Rangers and put myself forward. I built up a good reputation there and worked my way up the ranks. But I’m not naive – you don’t often get a chance to go back to these great places.”

Thomson watched his old club crash out of the Champions League with defeat to Dynamo Kyiv in midweek. And he believes boss