HIS phone contains the names and numbers of some of the biggest and most successful figures in the game.

There are legends that he can call friends, heroes that are now his equal and greats in whose footsteps he is following at Rangers. There was one message that Steven Gerrard didn't want to send first, though.

When Gerrard speaks, people listen. When Sir Alex Ferguson was doing the talking, Gerrard was all ears.

Ferguson would credit Gerrard with a 'magnificent' job in an interview this week and he hailed the manner in which the 40-year-old - a man he labelled as 'cool' and 'composed' - conducts himself in a media sense.

The Herald:

As he carried out his penultimate pre-match press conference of the season on Tuesday morning, the words of Sir Alex were relayed to Gerrard and there was clearly a pride at the plaudits. They were well received, but they have been well earned.

"It’s very high praise and I’m extremely flattered," Gerrard said. "He’s an iconic figure in the game.

READ MORE: Steven Gerrard pinpoints Rangers' successes and failures and details targets for next term

"Through no fault of our own we became big, big rivals at Liverpool and Manchester United, the two biggest clubs in British football.

"We were massive rivals for many years and he’s someone that even though he was a rival I looked up to him immensely because he is such an iconic figure in the game and what he achieved in the game is up there with the very best who have ever lived.

The Herald: Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

"So I’m really flattered and humbled by his words and I’ll let you into a little secret, I’ve had a couple of conversations with him.

"Since I’ve retired, we’ve parked our rivalry up and he gave me time on the phone to bounce a few things off him, a few questions to do with the management up here at Rangers.

"He was fantastic in those conversations and at some point moving forward I’d love the chance to sit down with him and have a coffee.

"He’s agreed to that and that’s fantastic from his point of view because he doesn’t have to give him his time, especially being a rival.

"But I think that goes to show what type of man he is — he’s not just the iconic manager we all know."

READ MORE: Steven Gerrard details injury updates as Rangers are left short on numbers ahead of final Premiership clashes

Gerrard and Ferguson may have been fierce rivals during their respective times at Liverpool and Manchester United but there was always a respect for each other and an awareness of what they brought to their clubs and their cities.

Ferguson understands what Gerrard is going through at Rangers as well as anyone. The man that was a legend in Liverpool is now a God in Glasgow and so many have assisted in making his dreams a reality.

The Herald: Steven Gerrard on the touchline

Gerrard said: "I think I am in a really blessed position because coming through the ranks at Liverpool I have got some real top management experience that I can tap into – Kenny Dalglish, Roy Hodgson, Rafa Benitez.

"But I was connected with Sir Alex through a mutual person, Don McRae, a journalist who done one of my books not so long ago. That is the connection I have had of late.

"We did exchange numbers at the time but I wouldn’t dare send the first message, that’s for sure.

"It is a blessed position because coming up here I have Graeme Souness and Walter Smith who I can tap into and for a young manager that is gold dust for me because I certainly appreciate where I am at in terms of my individual journey.

"This is a case of learning on the job for me especially in the early years when there is so much to learn.

"To have these icons of the game to tap into and for them to give me the time, it is a very blessed position."

Gerrard has always been his own man with his own ideas but he has never assumed that he knows it all, never taken managerial success for granted because of the heady days he enjoyed as a player.

The Herald:

As he received the SFWA William Hill Manager of the Year award on Tuesday, he would credit the staff that he works with at Auchenhowie on a daily basis and any help received from any quarter is warmly welcomed.

Gerrard said: “I think I said in my first press conference that I got a feeling about this offer. I felt like there was a connection to be made.

READ MORE: James Tavernier's focus message as Steven Gerrard's side bid for Invincible Premiership campaign

"I had admired the club from afar for many years and I had been up here and sampled the atmosphere and what the supporters were about.

"But also I had the education to know what the institution was about and what it meant to the people and it was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.

"Having said that, when I first took the job you do feel the size of the job and the pressure and the responsibility of the role and that is because of the managers who have gone before.

"Walter and Graeme Souness as two recent ones and it is a tough position to be in because you have got to try and follow in their footsteps and try and add to the wonderful success they have had.

"To sit here now having produced a league, and an historic league, is ever so satisfying."

There were times this season where it looked like Gerrard could do no wrong and on Saturday he will celebrate the first silverware of his managerial career as Rangers are crowned Premiership champions.

His journey to that point hasn't always been a smooth one but every mistake made or lessoned learned has shaped Gerrard and certainly been put to good use at Ibrox.

Gerrard said: “When you are trying to learn and you are striving to be better it isn’t just listening to these people after you have won a league.

"This has been a journey and sometimes you feel like you are going down the wrong road or you are hitting a few bumps or maybe you need some advice that is non-football related.

"I wouldn’t see they are all mentors, that is a bit too extreme, but it is nice to know that you can pick the phone up to someone that has been there and done it.

"When you are trying to learn and grow to have people who have been so successful and who have gone through what I am going through now many, many times that is invaluable for me.”