Bristol City’s chase for Steven Gerrard far from over

Steven Gerrard TEAMtalk

Bristol City remain hopeful of landing top boss target Steven Gerrard, despite reports the former Liverpool man had rejected the opportunity.

Bristol Live are reporting that Rangers boss Gerrard is Bristol City CEO Mark Ashton’s no.1 target to replace Lee Johnson.

Johnson was axed at the start of July and the Championship outfit are hunting for a replacement.

The Daily Express reported that Gerrard had snubbed the opportunity and that Ashton had turned to Aston Villa no.2 John Terry.

TalkSPORT also claimed Gerrard “has absolutely no interest” in a move to the Championship club.

However, the latest report claims “Gerrard hasn’t categorically turned down the opportunity to succeed Lee Johnson” and City are hoping to tempt the 40-year-old south.

Apparently the Robins’ pursuit of the former England star is far from over and Ashton “still hopes to entice” the Gers boss to Ashton Gate.

In fact the club are “determined to land their man and are making a big final push for him”.

It will be a huge coup for the club if they can lure Gerrard to the second tier as he prepares for another season in Scotland’s top flight and a continue their run in the Europa League.

Gerrard, who has managed Rangers since 2018, watched his squad win the Veolia Trophy in France on Saturday, thanks to 2-0 victories over Lyon and Nice.

 

 

And his thoughts appeared only with the Gers afterwards.

Academy plans

Gerrard Rangers TEAMtalk

“So there are an awful lot of positives to take in terms of the team and where the squad is at – we still need to get better and there will be things we need to tweak all over the place – individuals still need to get fitter, but in the main, I am really pleased and I am going to go away happy.

“In terms of the academy, I want to bring academy players in but first and foremost they have to commit to the football club,” Gerrard told Rangers’ official website.

“If they don’t commit, then they won’t be seen anywhere near me. And they’ve got to be good enough. They’ve got to train every day like it means the world to them to play for Rangers.”

The Scottish Premiership starts on August 1 and so Gerrard will want his future ironing out quickly.

Tthe Gers are also still involved in the Europa League with the second leg of their Round of 16 fixture against Bayer Leverkusen kicking off on August 6.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Sutton tells Rangers to stop ‘moaning’ and says pressure is on Gerrard