There are huge similarities between Steven Gerrard and Brendan Rodgers with how they’ve both started in Glasgow.
It’s not a comparison Rangers fans will want to make. Many supporters as well as Gerrard will see himself as his own man and manager. That goes without saying and he’s earned that right given his impressive start to life in Scotland.
However, it would be foolish to deny the similarities of both Gerrard and Rodgers’ early days in Scottish football. Given how Celtic went on to control the game up here for two years, it should also bode well for Rangers.
Where both men differ is the overhaul of the playing squad. Where Rodgers didn’t feel many changes were necessary to Ronny Deila’s side – Gerrard has had to make big improvements to the side in order to be competitive.
This has involved 12 new signings walking in the door, with the manager still wanting another before the deadline.
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Outside of that, and there’s some traits that both men carry that made them successes early on in their tenures.
Firstly, the way both sets of fans united under their new manager is eerily similar. When Celtic announced Rodgers, supporters gathered at Parkhead to see the Northern Irishman unveiled. It came at a time when the East End side needed a revival, and Rodgers sparked massive confidence from the Celtic faithful.
Gerrard has done equally the same thing. Arriving at Ibrox, the club opened the doors of the stadium to allow the Liverpool icon to take his bow in front of the supporters. The fans roared in unison to greet their new-man, and there was that same wave of optimism that greeted Parkhead just two years ago.
Both men brought an aura to their new clubs. Regardless of what side of the divide supporters are on, no Old Firm fan can deny that.
It’s not just their arrival that has a similar feel to it however. You can also point to their demeanour and find a very samey outlook on how life as a manager should be conducted.
Gerrard has refused to make bold predictions during his time at Ibrox so far. Despite the ultimate task being to topple Celtic, the Rangers manager has spoken about simply being competitive. He knows how words can come back to bite managers on the rear end, and has avoided that embarrassment.
Across the city, Rodgers remained humble in his comments towards Scottish football during his early days. Determined to turn the green side of Glasgow around, the Celtic manager consistently reminded everyone of the importance of humility.
Despite both being on different budgets and having different goals upon arrival, Rodgers and Gerrard both stress the need to be humble. There remains a class to both men that rubbed off on their respective squads.
Finally, the organisation both men brought to their clubs is strikingly identical.
Rangers’ defensive frailties were constantly in the spotlight last season. However, it’s been the same so far this term for more positive reasons. Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic at the back aren’t letting a lot through them. When they are, Allan McGregor is mopping up.
This Rangers side is built on a defensively sound basis, and their clean sheets so far are showing that.
When Rodgers came in, he wanted to focus more on Celtic’s attacking prospects. Taking the idea of “if you score one we’ll score two”, Rodgers organised Celtic from the front back.
Both managers managed to find shapes to their sides that they could build a foundation from.
It can certainly be argued that Gerrard had the tougher role. Taking over the shambles of a mess left behind by both Graeme Murty and Pedro Ciaxinha, mass changes needed made.
This wasn’t necessarily the case at Celtic. Rodgers had the core of a good squad and only needed to tinker his side for it to reach its peak potential.
Both men needed to add freshness to their respective clubs. Both did and have done so through humility and class.
In time, the differences in both will become more obvious. However, for now, there’s clear similarities which can only bode well for Gerrard’s Rangers revolution.