Jordan Henderson is reportedly closing in on a deal to join incoming Rangers manager Steven Gerrard and Ibrox legend Steven Davis in Glasgow.
According to legendary broadcaster Jim White, Henderson will join Gerrard and Davis as part of the new-look Rangers backroom staff heading into next season.
England legend Hendo, 34, won 84 caps for his country, captained Liverpool to a first title in 30 years and spent last season playing at Ajax.
Whilst Henderson now looks set to be in the opposite dugout, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers gave Henderson the captain’s armband at Liverpool.
And there was one moment when the Parkhead manager took aim at the ‘morality officers’ who had Henderson in their sights back in 2023.
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Brendan Rodgers publicly defended Jordan Henderson against ‘morality officers’
Jordan Henderson courted controversy in the summer of 2023 when the then Liverpool captain became one of the most high-profile players to move to Saudi Arabia.
Outspoken supporters and fans groups had put pressure on players moving to Saudi Arabia due to its human rights record and attitude towards the LGBT community.
As captain of Liverpool, Henderson came in for particular criticism from LGBT fans groups who decried the optics of the midfielder’s move to Al-Ettifaq, where he joined up with Steven Gerrard.
But Brendan Rodgers came out fighting Henderson’s corner, taking to TalkSPORT in an interview back in September 2023 to defend his former captain.
“It’s their profession, it’s their life so they have to do what’s best for them,” Rodgers said. “There’s so many morality officers around the world nowadays that are judging people.
“But Jordan I know extremely well and I know the love he had for Liverpool. He was at the stage of his career where he probably wasn’t going to be the first name on the team sheet anymore. At 32-years of age, he’s won absolutely everything.
“He probably fancied a different challenge and out of respect, it probably didn’t feel right for him being at another Premier League club. So to go abroad and take on a new challenge clearly suited him.”
Brendan Rodgers handed Jordan Henderson Liverpool captaincy
Back in 2015, Brendan Rodgers had singled out Jordan Henderson as a ‘future Liverpool captain’ by making the midfielder vice-captain to Steven Gerrard.
Speaking after a 1-0 win away to Sunderland, Rodgers claimed that Henderson had grown into the leadership role and waxed lyrical about his impact on the field.
Henderson would then be handed the captaincy by Rodgers in 2015, when Gerrard left Anfield for LA Galaxy and would go on to captain the club to Champions League (18/19) and Premier League (19/20) titles.
”I’ve made him a vice-captain of the club and he has really grown, not just as a footballer but as a young lad,” Rodgers said, as quoted by the Guardian.
“You saw his quality today, his leadership and his power. He is a fantastic young man and that was the reason for giving him it. When Steven isn’t on the field, he is a real leader for us and there is no question he can go on and become captain at the club.”
