It appears that we are now past the beginning of the end of Steven Gerrard’s time in Scotland with further updates coming this evening.
Two major media outlets have provided further details as talks continue over the terms of Steven Gerrard and his backroom team making the move to Aston Villa.
With nothing emanating from Ibrox, many Rangers supporters have been hoping that ‘no news is good news’ but the opposite is true, the silence is deafening.
That won’t last as the situation is getting to a critical stage with The Daily Telegraph and The Athletic briefing that the moving is edging closer in what will be a hammer blow to Rangers season – this sever disruption couldn’t have come at a worse time given what is ahead on the horizon, on the pitch for the Gers.
The sooner clarity is provided, the better.
Breaking: Steven Gerrard on verge of joining Aston Villa as manager after Rangers allow talks @JPercyTelegraph @Matt_Law_DT @SamWallaceTel #AVFC https://t.co/dyPM18HJTg
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) November 10, 2021
As above, the Telegraph with sources very close to the Villa hierarchy, believe that Gerrard is “on the verge” of joining Villa:
“Steven Gerrard is on the verge of taking over at Aston Villa after Rangers cleared him for talks with the Premier League club.”
“The former Liverpool and England captain is set to leave Rangers and join Villa with official confirmation of his appointment expected in the next 48 hours.”
That was backed up by The Athletic with their writers in Glasgow and Birmingham putting out a joint piece including:
“Gerrard is expected to bring first team coach Michael Beale to Villa with him while discussions over other backroom members will continue over the next few days.”
Gerrard is close to becoming the new Aston Villa boss and could be confirmed by the weekend after talks progressed quickly in last 24 hours.
Backroom staff expected to go with him as part of comp package they have to agree in coming days.https://t.co/DlrkjNdFTE@greggevans40
— Jordan Campbell (@JordanC1107) November 10, 2021
Formality
At this stage, anything else other than confirmation of the move would be a big surprise given the extent of the media briefings and also, the silence from Ibrox.
While Newcastle made something of a mess in their pursuit of Unai Emery, that won’t be repeated this time around from Aston Villa, with the Midlands club making an organised, effective approach for Gerrard as soon as Dean Smith’s exit had been confirmed.
Rangers fans will get restless until the process is complete and then the focus will quickly turn to who the successor will be, with only 11 days to go until the team takes to the pitch to face Hibs in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden.