We knew, as Rangers fans, that Steven Gerrard wasn’t going to be around forever and that, if he was a success, he would be coveted by clubs in England.
The timing is horrendous with key fixtures in the league, league cup and Europa League on the horizon but, at least, when the new team comes in, we have pretty much a fully fit squad for them to choose from.
Technically, the only remaining member of the coaching staff is Jermain Defoe thanks to him also being registered as a player so there will be an element of continuity there, for now though, the club is yet to announce who is taking training whilst the international break continues.
Aston Villa fans should expect the same treatment though and the fact that he has signed just a two and a half year deal suggests that he already has his eyes elsewhere.
Coincidentally, this is when his Rangers contract was due to expire and also, when Jurgen Klopp’s comes to an end at Liverpool – funny that.
Everybody knows what Gerrard’s dream is now that his playing days are over, it’s to manage Liverpool and he has obviously seen the Villa job as the perfect opportunity to make that next step.
Villa are a big club, no bigger than us, but they are just like us in that they are purely a stepping stone for Gerrard to get to where he wants to be, back at Anfield.