Friends become Foes : Rodgers vs Gerrard
“Gerrard’s slipped, and Demba Ba is in here!”
The most unfortunate yet ironic moment in recent football history occured when Chelsea visited Anfield in 2014.
Steven Gerrard, winning every trophy possible in club football except the Premier League, slipped to allow Senegalese striker Demba Ba to finish and kill off title hopes for Liverpool.
Under Brendan Rodgers they were playing exciting, free flowing, beautiful football, stemming from the remarkable talent of Luis Suarez.
Times have changed and four years have passed. Gerrard has left Liverpool, playes in Los Angeles, returned as an u18s coach and finally got his first job. Ibrox was calling as Glasgow Rangers freed their vacancy.
Rodgers has had a rather successful four years north of the border since being replaced by Jurgen Klopp. Winning six trophies with Celtic and becoming revered among Bhoys supporters, Rodgers is certainly succeeding.
The two friends meet as managers for the first time on Sunday. Gerrard has had a quite fantastic unbeaten start to his Rangers career in 13 matches, and Rodgers’ side have faced a more turbulent beginning.
Although slotting above Rangers in the table, they lost in their Champions League qualifier only to scrape through in the Europa League variant subsequently.
It should be an interesting battle. Of course Rangers will be buoyant after a good start under the Scouser, but they havent won an Old Firm since the Cup semi-final on penalties back in 2016.
For Celtic the key will be defensive issues. We all know the situation with Dedryck Boyata, who certainly will be hounded by at least one set of supporters. If they defend well I am sure they will at least draw the game and let the likes of Odsonne Eduoard and Leigh Griffiths roam free within the Rangers vicinity.
My prediction is a 2–1 victory for Rodgers’ Celtic, with Jack scoring for Rangers and Griffiths/Boyata for Celtic.
If you would like more about Scottish football on the Medium, let me know and there will be another piece on here this weekend.
