[Sport] Steven Gerrard: Rangers boss wins Scottish writers' manager award

[rlex]

 

Steven Gerrard has been voted manager of the year by Scottish football writers after leading Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title.

St Johnstone's Callum Davidson, Scotland's Steve Clarke and Livingston's David Martindale were also on the shortlist.

Gerrard, in his third season at Ibrox manager, secured the club's first top-flight title in 10 years.

He said "I certainly cherish the award" but passed praise to all at Ibrox.

"I receive it collectively with my staff," he said. "I think we have achieved the success we have this season as a team of staff."

The former England and Liverpool captain took up his first senior managerial role when he moved to Scotland in 2018.

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"I think I said in my first press conference that I got a feeling about this offer," he said. "I felt like there was a connection to be made.

"I had admired the club from afar for many years and I had been up here and sampled the atmosphere and what the supporters were about.

"But also I had the education to know what the institution was about and what it meant to the people and it was an opportunity that I couldn't turn down."

Gerrard admitted he had felt the burden of following past Ibrox managers before winning the title - and stopping Celtic claiming a record 10th consecutive crown

"When I first took the job, you do feel the size of the job and the pressure and the responsibility of the role and that is because of the managers who have gone before - Walter Smith and Graeme Souness as two recent ones," he said.

"And it is a tough position to be in because you have got to try and follow in their footsteps and try and add to the wonderful success they have had. To sit here now having produced a league, and an historic league, is ever so satisfying."

While Rangers secured their 55th league title and reached the last 16 of the Europa League, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals of both domestic cup competitions, a record Gerrard has targeted to improve next season.

The votes were cast by members of the Scottish Football Writers' Association before Davidson, in his debut season as a manager, followed up St Johnstone's League Cup success by beating St Mirren at the weekend to also reach the Scottish Cup final.

Scotland head coach Clarke had been voted among the top four after leading the national team to their first major tournament in 23 years, this summer's delayed Euro 2020 finals.

Martindale made the list after winning his first eight games as Livingston boss, not tasting defeat until his 15th, reaching the Betfred Cup final and guiding his side into the top six.