Rangers fans might well be more familiar with Steven Gerrard the manager, but legendary Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas has sent a reminder of his prowess as a player.
The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder has faced some of the world’s best midfield generals, playmakers and stalwarts of the last 20 years.
But for the 32-year-old Monaco playmaker, the now Ibrox boss remains the single most formidable rival Fabregas has ever faced.
When asked who was the “toughest direct opponent in midfield”, Fabregas admitted that it was “probably Steven Gerrard”.
Former England captain Gerrard’s influence on and legacy in the game down south is legendary and he remains an iconic figure at boyhood club, Liverpool.
With nine major honours at Anfield and a bronze finish in the 2005 Ballon d’Or, Gerrard imprinted himself into footballing and Liverpool history during his time as a player.
Gerrard would make 710 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 186 goals and laying on a further 115.
The legendary Champions League-winning midfielder also earned 114 caps for England, scoring 21 goals and captaining his country at World Cup finals.
The only other side Gerrard would turn out for was LA Galaxy, for whom he played a couple of seasons before retiring from playing.
Rangers are the iconic captain’s first job as a manager and the early indications are he fancies repeating his playing achievements in football as a club boss.
Who knows, maybe one day Cesc Fabregas will also describe the Rangers boss as the most formidable manager he’s come across too.
