The management skills shown by Steven Gerrard at Rangers have been compared to those of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
Liverpool legend Gerrard is leading Rangers to their first top-tier league title in a decade, as they've opened up a 22-point gap over Celtic. Fergie also won trophies in Scotland, with Aberdeen in the 1980s, before his stunning success south of the border at Old Trafford.
Now Gerrard is proving himself a "world-class" leader with Fergie-esque traits.
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That's according to Alistair McCaw, a sports performance consultant and mindset coach, who worked with the Rangers squad in 2020 and got to see Gerrard's management style up close.
The US-based McCaw flew to Europe to spend three days at the Rangers Training Centre, before going to work with Paris Saint-Germain. He told the Daily Record all about spending time with the Rangers boss.
"His leadership skills are exceptional," said McCaw. "You've seen that from him even as a kid coming through the Liverpool academy. He's a natural leader that doesn't necessarily have to say much.
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"You get different types of leader. Some are vocal, some aren't and Steven's not too vocal. He leads by example.
"I remember one of the days I was at the training ground, noticing how good he was with the players in the cafeteria, downstairs, outside on the pitch. How he moved between the players. You can't deny his leadership skills are world class."
Ferguson, who won a wealth of titles in his 26 years at Manchester United, was definitely pretty vocal. But McCaw explains that it's Gerrard's relentless work ethic that reminded him of Sir Alex.
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"One of the days I was leaving the training ground at around 7pm and as I passed the gym there was only one guy working out in there - it was Steven. He was one of the few guys left in the building. They talk about first in, last out, which is a bit of a cliche.
"We know Alex Ferguson was that person but there are similar traits with Gerrard."
Fergie pumping iron in the gym might seem an odd concept, but he did used to clock in for an early session at Carrington before the players even arrived to keep himself fit and healthy while in charge at Manchester United.
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It may confuse Liverpool fans and Man United supporters to hear the 40-year-old compared to Sir Alex. But it's likely music to the Rangers faithful's ears.
All imagery: PA Images
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football, Sir Alex Ferguson, Steven Gerrard, Rangers
