Gerrard good appointment for club with short-term challenges

Newco have struggled for relevance this season, even among their own supporters, who have been increasingly disengaged.  They are an object of fun domestically and were not quoted outside of Scotland.  Now they are relevant.  They are being discussed in news programmes and by football commentators outside Scotland, and not because of an embarrassing defeat.

The appointment will ensure the renewal of thousands of season tickets that may otherwise not have been purchased, so for the first season, it will self-finance.  For a club with huge short-term challenges, this money he will bring in over the next six weeks makes the appointment of Steven Gerrard as manager a good one.  July’s Europa League qualifiers are a long way off.

This is true even though he has less experience than McCoist, McDowell, Warburton, Caixinha and Murty.  Gerrard has never taken charge of a full team of adults.  He will have no money to compete with Celtic and will need to pitch his tactical brain against Neil Lennon and Derek McInnes next season.  Results will be predictable, you can be assured of that.

Despite his warm welcome yesterday, he is, of course, another Celtic Brother.  This fact will visit him with the vitriol which became familiar during Murty and Caixinha’s reign soon enough.

All of this means we get to dismantle some fantasies next season, just as we did this season and last.  I see no downside.