Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Dean Holden reckons Steven Gerrard remains one of "the best young English managers" – as he pointed to his work at Rangers.

It comes with Gerrard speaking for the first time since speculation over a return to Ibrox for the Premiership-winning boss hit fever pitch.

Article continues below

The Liverpool legend is out of work after being shown the door at Al-Ettifaq earlier this season.



Holden worked with Gerrard in the Saudi Pro League until November last year.

The former Falkirk defender - who is now working as assistant boss at Turkish side Adana Demirspor - has heaped praised on the former Ibrox boss.

He told talkSPORT: "My path then took me to working with one of the greatest ever in this country and, in my opinion, still one of the best young English managers.

You know, don't forget the work that he did at Rangers.

"Just to be associated alongside Steven and to watch how he worked day in, day out.

I'd never really met him before working with him.

"And just everything you see on the television is what you see when you work with him.

The standards he sets for himself and others around him is infectious."

Gerrard has emerged as the favourite to land the Rangers hotseat in the summer and become Philippe Clement's permanent successor.

Barry Ferguson has stepped into the job on an interim basis - and has boosted his chances of landing the job permanently by seeing off Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce to reach the Europa League quarter-final and beating Celtic in Glasgow's east end.

But the likes of Gerrard, Rafa Benitez and Russell Martin are among the candidates touted to land the job when the US consortium complete their takeover.

(Image: SNS Group)

The Anfield icon made his return to Merseyside last weekend for the Liverpool and Chelsea legends clash to raise funds for the LFC Foundation.

After captaining the side, he hinted he wasn't in any rush to decide his future - and was focusing on the Reds’ run to the Premier League title.

He told club media: “I think all eyes are on the run-in, we've got a massive game coming up against Everton.

Article continues below

“But during the international break when you get the invite to come and play in front of a full house, it's impossible to turn it down.

“The priority is always the foundation, raising large sums of money to support the area, to support the ex-players in need.

They're coming here, paying money and it's full house, it's unbelievable."

Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.


For more news relating to Chelsea, visit our sister site Chelsea Latest Live.