Steven Gerrard knows what it takes to be a successful manager in Scottish football.
The Rangers hero lifted the Scottish Premiership at a canter in 2021 as he also swept the board in terms of individual management awards.
His achievements would see him eventually depart Ibrox for a move to the Premier League with Aston Villa where the likes of Michael Beale and the rest of his Gers staff would join him.
After the latter moved on to become Queen’s Park Rangers boss in his own right, Gerrard moved swiftly to swoop for a replacement coach in Neil Critchley with whom he enjoyed a strong working relationship.
The Englishman – former boss at Blackpool and QPR respectively – had also previously aligned himself with Gerrard when he initially coached Liverpool’s academy and the pair formed a bond as well as a similar style.
Critchley is now closing in on a move to Hearts as the Gorgie outfit seek a managerial replacement for Steven Naismith and comments made by Gerrard about the 45-year-old have now re-emerged.
Anfield icon Gerrard explained back in 2022 how Critchley is a “high level coach” and was a vital component to the Villans’ backroom staff after Beale moved on.
Steven Gerrard revealed Critchley was ‘different’ to Michael Beale
And he revealed at the time how the two coaches are different in the way they work as he pulled the curtain back for Jambos fan as to what they might expect from their new head coach when he finally arrives.
“I’ve got good relations in football and I knew that if that day did come I always prepared myself for that moment (that Beale left),” Gerrard explained when previously talking about how vital it was for Villa to snap up Critchley.
“For us to go and act so quickly as a club and the support I had to go and get Neil Critchley was really important, I’m glad we’ve done that.
“I don’t think in terms of the quality of coaching (they’re similar), because you’re talking about two high-level coaches. They’re very different. The important thing is that they deliver what I want and how I want it to look. It’ll be very seamless, that transition.”
Neil Critchley will become Hearts’ new manager this week
Critchley could potentially join Hearts this week but would not come into contact with Philippe Clement’s charges until November 10 when Rangers next square-off with the strugglers.
Gers were held to an opening day goalless draw at Tynecastle but have pushed on since while Hearts have crumbled and sit winless at the foot of the table.
