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Rangers claim made about Steven Gerrard - he could be HELPING Brendan Rodgers
RANGERS boss Steven Gerrard's arrival in Scotland could actually HELP Celtic and Brendan Rodgers, claims Scotland boss Gordon Strachan.
Steven Gerrard 'can't ask for any more' from Rangers players
The Glasgow rivals are set to battle it out for the Scottish title this season, with Rangers buoyed by the appointment of Gerrard earlier in the summer.
Rangers are unbeaten since the Liverpool legend took charge north of the border, while Celtic lost 1-0 to Hearts in their second league outing last week.
The current champions are still favourites to win their eighth consecutive league crown this year.
But Strachan thinks Gerrard's arrival means Celtic will need to work even harder than usual to secure the title come May.
That’ll drag the rest of the teams on, including Celtic
"I think Celtic have to take Rangers seriously," he told Paddy Power.
"They have to look at them as serious rivals.
"There’ll be a right real challenge in the league this season, which can only be good for Scottish football generally.
"That’ll drag the rest of the teams on, including Celtic.
"It reminds of the long-distance races we used to do in pre-season training camps.
"One year, at Leeds, I had Vinnie Jones chasing me, desperate to beat me – and I was desperate that he wouldn’t. It made me quicker.
"When you have someone coming up behind you, or edging just ahead, it pushes you to improve and stay ahead, or catch up with them.
"I think it could be a blessing in disguise for Celtic and Brendan Rodgers."
Rangers: Steven Gerrard admits squad is ‘light’ after transfers
Gerrard is eyeing success both at home and abroad this season, with Rangers playing well in the Europa League at present.
But Strachan believes stopping Celtic's dominance should be the 38-year-old's priority.
"What would success look like for Rangers this season? You’ve got to remember their fans want everything," he continued.
"But the biggest thing right now is the ten in the row.
"No matter what anybody says, that’s in the background.
"It’d be the holy grail for Celtic fans, and basically hell for Rangers supporters.
"Wim Jansen stopped Rangers getting ten in a row in the Nineties, and he’s held in such high esteem as a result.
"The players that played in his team are held up just below the Lisbon Lions.
"So if Gerrard can do the same to Celtic, his tenure there would be an unqualified success."