JOHN BARNES believes Newcastle will not consider Steven Gerrard to be their next manager due to the Rangers boss being “inexperienced”.

Gerrard has been linked with a move to St James’ Park with Steve Bruce expected to be relieved of his duties as soon as this weekend.

The Liverpool legend was among the bookies’ favourites for the Toon gig, but now current Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers is in pole position.

Barnes reckons Gerrard would only move south if it was to go to his beloved Anfield and commenting on the Newcastle speculation, he told Bonus Code Bets: “Why would Newcastle look to bring a relatively inexperienced manager like Steven Gerrard? That is purely media talk. 

“Steven Gerrard is doing a great job as Rangers’ manager, but that is where he should stay for the time being. If he aspires to manage Liverpool, which everyone is certain he does, will going to Newcastle help that? Not necessarily.  

“Newcastle will choose an experienced manager who has done it all. Perhaps Antonio Conte who is a more proven manager at the very highest level.

“Only when the Liverpool job becomes available for Steven Gerrard, is when we will see him manage a club in England. That is all he wants to do. 

“If Newcastle offered him the position, that would be a fantastic move for Steven as well, but they’ll be looking for someone with more experience, who has managed at the very highest level, either in England or in the Champions League.

“I just cannot see Newcastle going with someone of limited experience. Unless of course they go for a stop gap, which neither Steven (Gerrard), nor Frank Lampard will be.” 

Gerrard and Rangers currently lead the Scottish Premiership table with Celtic lingering in midtable.

Ange Postecoglou came in over the summer and there has been glimpses of improvement under the Aussie.

Barnes reckons his former club will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season, but he still thinks Rangers are a force to be reckoned with.

He added: “Rangers and Celtic are the two favourites to win the Scottish Premiership, as always. Rangers are slight favourites, because with Celtic bringing a new manager in, that can take some time.

“Celtic have had a few poor results, but Rangers also haven’t hit top form, yet they are top of the league. 

“Rangers won’t run away with it as they did last year. It’ll be tighter and there are other sides doing well, but come the end of season, it’ll be between the two of them (Rangers and Celtic).”