RICHARD GOUGH ensured Steven Gerrard saw red and tasted defeat in the Merseyside derby. Now he hopes the Rangers boss can bring silverware back to Ibrox and clinch Old Firm supremacy once again.
It is 20 years since Gough’s Everton won at Anfield and Gerrard was one of three players sent off on a remarkable night for Walter Smith’s side.
Kevin Campbell was the derby hero for the Toffees as he scored after just four minutes but there was plenty more drama to come.
Striker Francis Jeffers was sent off for fighting with keeper Sander Westerveld as the Dutchman was also dismissed. So, too, was Gerrard after his emotions got the better of him and he went in high on Campbell in injury time.
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“I played against him at Everton, I got him sent off in one of his first Merseyside derbies,” Gough said.
“It was my ninth game for Everton, we’d actually started the season quite well and the game was at Anfield.
“We ended up winning 1-0 and it remains the last time any Everton side beat Liverpool at Anfield in the league.
“I remember the game well. People were asking me beforehand about the match, they were saying, ‘oh you’ve never played in a Merseyside derby at Anfield before.’
“I said I’d played in a few north London derbies not to mention over 50 Old Firm derbies. I said to them, ‘I think I’ll be alright.’
“I remember Steven coming on. He kicked Kevin Campbell about waist height. I went over to the ref and said, ‘he’s got to be off for that ref, there’s no question that’s a red.’
“I’ve actually got a picture of me pulling Steven away from Campbell. Anyway, he got sent off. I suppose it showed his competitive nature.”
The bragging rights may have belonged to Everton on that occasion but Gerrard would enjoy more derby wins than he would suffer defeats during a glittering Reds career.
Merseyside triumphs always meant a lot to the midfielder but it was the lure of silverware that drove him to reach the very top of the game for club and country.
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Those same characteristics now make Gerrard tick as a manager and he has kicked-off his second season as Rangers boss in impressive style as he looks to improve on his maiden campaign at Ibrox.
It was one which saw the Gers make real progress under the guidance of the 39-year-old but a second place finish in the Premiership and two early exits from the cup competitions frustrated and disappointed everyone at Ibrox.
There are no grudges towards Gough for the part he played on that night at Anfield two decades ago. And there is only admiration from the nine-in-a-row winning captain and Light Blue legend towards the man now leading the hunt for silverware.
“I send him the odd text before the big games and he always comes back straight away,” Gough said.
“He is a very respectful person. He is very secure within himself. He has done everything at the highest level.
“He’s won England caps, he’s won the Champions League and he’s won the FA Cup. The only thing he didn’t win was the Premiership title, but he never had a great team around.
“He’s brought something to the club which we never had, or certainly had been lacking in the last few years.
“And that was a profile. We’re now back on Sky Sports news and we’re back in the spotlight.
“No one is bigger than the club, but Steven is the face of it and it has given Rangers a lot of positives.
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“Everyone down in England follows his progress. I think most expect him to return to Liverpool one day and he probably will.
“But I certainly hope he’s here for another three or four years. I am always delighted when I see Liverpool winning because I know they’ll be happy with their manager and that means we can keep hold of Steven.
“As soon as Liverpool start to lose I think Mr King will be getting a knock on the door. Steven won’t be able to refuse that and I understand that.
“But hopefully he can get us back on track before all of that. Like I said, I hope he’s here for a good while yet.”
It is still too premature to consider Gerrard as the next Liverpool boss and the Anfield legend still has much to prove as a coach and a manager before his dream becomes a reality.
The progress that Rangers have made under his guidance cannot be underestimated, however, and there is a feelgood factor amongst supporters once again this summer.
The Premiership title challenge will begin with a trip to Kilmarnock this weekend but Rangers must first return to the scene of one of their worst-ever results as they look to finish the job against Progres Niederkorn in Luxembourg.
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A 2-0 victory in the first leg - earned through goals from Joe Aribo and Sheyi Ojo - has the Light Blues on track for a third round berth as they look to maintain their momentum.
Gough said: “I think he’s done a remarkable job. He will have learned a lot from his first year in charge. He will have learned a lot about his players.
“I remember as a captain you learned a lot about your team mates when you went to places like Parkhead.
“Steven Gerrard has come in and he’s a big name. He’s brought a different level of professionalism back to the club.
“Mark Warburton was here and he did a reasonable job. Pedro came in and that turned out to be a nightmare.
“Steven has settled things down. Slowly but surely a better standard of player is returning to the club.
“The game against Progres will be interesting. Rangers lost over there the last time the last time but you have to say the club is in a much better place from where it was two years ago.”
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