Kevin Thomson Rangers friendship with Steven Gerrard endures Aston Villa exit as he addresses Ibrox hotseat

Former Rangers midfielder and youth coach Kevin Thomson remains in touch with Steven Gerrard as the League Two champion prepares for the step up.

Thomson's Kelty Hearts got over the line in the fourth tier title race, blowing away all competition with five games to spare.

Gerrard, now of Aston Villa after leaving Rangers in November, made sure to send a congratulatory text – and he's always been there to lend an ear when things weren't looking so great for Thomson.

He even imparted wisdom from the late Gerard Houllier, the former Liverpool gaffer whom Gerrard credits as a coaching inspiration.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Thomson said: "He's been brilliant for me.

"I spoke to him through the season, including off the back of us first getting beat by Annan (5-1 on Boxing Day).

"I asked if he could remember what his team talk was to the Rangers group when they first got beat. He gave me a couple of wee lines on what Gerard Houllier used to say.

"Getting an open door from the manager was invaluable. He actually messaged me on Monday. He said he knew the risks I'd had to take and how hard I've had to work. For someone like him to take the time, hopefully that says you were doing the right things.

"The manager was different class. So was Mick (Beale). So was Gaz Mac (Gary McAllister).

"So were loads of people in the academy. But you know who was the best for me? The players. They gave me real belief that I was good at what I was doing."

Thomson insists he wasn't given a 'job for the boys' at Auchenhowie after starting from the ground up with his own academy, which coaches kids as young as five years old.

He worked hard to land the Under-18s role at his former club as he added: "People say: 'Oh, you're working for