Stevie G isn’t exactly camera shy. Or if he is, he’s certainly very good at hiding it.
The Liverpool legend has been in the media since he was a teenager and is one of the world’s most recognisable sportsmen. He handles press conferences in a calm, composed and direct manner. He always has, he always will.
So it is no surprise his no nonsense approach to the media isn’t going down well amongst sports reporters in Scotland. They’re baiting hooks and they’re not even coming close to getting a bite.
Stylishly shuts down League Cup Semi Final talk
As the media storm rumbles on about the double Hampden same day Scottish Cup Semi fiasco, Gerrard is just focusing on the football.
Asked about the game he simply said he was looking forward to the match and is happy his team are playing on the pitch first.
That wasn’t enough for one reporter. He continuously asked Gerrard about the debacle. He referenced Levein. Give him his dues, he was persistent.
Gerrard didn’t get drawn on anything. In fact, he took a chance to shut the reporter down after he repeatedly asked him if he’d ever experienced such a situation before.
https://twitter.com/BluesandTwos_/status/1045665953340694528
“I’ve told you it’s a unique situation,” he said. “The word unique means I’ve never been in this situation before. We’re really looking forward to the semi-final, and we’re playing Livingston on Sunday.”
They’re just doing their jobs but different media culture here
Scottish sports journalists live off quotes. Hell, we do at Rangers News too. Whilst some might be a little more vindictive than others, it’s their job to probe and seek out controversy. The entire sports media industry is shakily built on it when you think about it.
But Gerrard has so much experience with it across the globe, he isn’t afraid to refuse to answer questions. This is the point. He can say no, he can move the topic on and he can bite back.
It means the fans can really trust Stevie G to represent the club in the public eye.
On the pitch he isn’t exactly bad at motivating players either.