‘Aston Villa haven’t made contact with Rangers’ was the nervous message sent out by trusted Ibrox podcast Heart & Hand.
With speculation sky high that Steven Gerrard is about to replace Dean Smith as Villa boss the tweet hardly addressed the issues confronting Ibrox fans. Third parties and agents will be sounded out before any official approach is made.
In February 2019 Brendan Rodgers was being introduced as the new manager of Leicester City within 24 hours of Peter Lawwell giving permission for the Irishman to speak to the English club. Only the incredibly naive would believe that there had been no prior agreement with Rodgers who took three assistants for Leicester’s dream team.
With no domestic fixtures until 20/21 November all parties involved in the Villa vacancy have time to sort out their explanations. Effectively if Villa want Gerrard it is simply a case of Douglas Park extracting as much compensation as possible and trying to find a replacement prepared to put up with an end of season exodus, if the club is still in business.
Allan McGregor, Steve Davis, Connor Goldson, Leon Balogun and Scott Arfield will be out of contract in June with Alfredo Morelos, Filip Helander, Joe Aribo and Ryan Jack entering the final year of their deals.
Villa haven’t made contact with Rangers. That’s not to say they won’t btw but anybody saying they already have is a great big fibber.
— Heart & Hand Podcast (@ibroxrocks) November 9, 2021
Would be a breach of “tapping up” rules surely? Think Managers are the same as players in that regard, need club’s permission to speak to contracted talent.
— George Garden (@reverendgv1) November 9, 2021
No, still all sorts of things to agree on (wages, backroom, budgets etc). But it certainly indicates an interest, aye.
— Heart & Hand Podcast (@ibroxrocks) November 9, 2021
Betfair market total bet £31,948 and £29,798 is on Stevie G
— Glasgow – CB (@180dartsbetting) November 9, 2021
Wish him well won’t you lads? It’s not every day the villa come knocking. I can see is probably taking Kent in January for our bench strength. Time for Gerrard to finally challenge himself instead of playing easy games every week! All the best!
— Villa Watch (@VillaWatch1) November 9, 2021
