On-form former Rangers winger Daniel Candeias has tipped Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard to reach the heights he did as a player as a manager.
The Portuguese winger – whose hattrick and two assists for Gençlerbirliği at the weekend earned him a spot in a special weekly XI – could not praise the Liverpool legend high enough.
Speaking to the Portuguese media ahead of Rangers tie with FC Porto, the nomadic journeyman could not speak highly enough of his former boss.
“Gerrard is on his way to being a great coach, in the image of what he was as a player,” said Candeias [Ojogo, as quoted by Daily Record].
“He intervenes when the game asks, not like the ones who fight on the sideline, he talks to the players at the right time.
“He’s calm and doesn’t fail to say what is needed, but if he has to be aggressive, he’ll speak in the locker room.
“The experience he has accumulated as a player has been important, he can pass it on to the players. In European competition, everyone will be aware of what they will face.”
It’s a glowing commendation from a player who Gerrard used more than 50 times last season.
The Ibrox boss was – like many supporters – gutted to see Candeias leave but with game time set to be limited in Glasgow, Gerrard took the decision with Candeias’ best interests at heart.
It’s something which has clearly not been lost on the winger who could not speak highly enough of Gerrard, who’ll be looking to leave an impression in Candeias’ native country this week.
