Ibrox board facing a losing battle with Aston Villa- Chris Jack spells out the bleak truth

Chris Jack has admitted that the ‘Rangers’ board are facing a losing battle to prevent Steven Gerrard walking away from Ibrox.

Speculation has been building up all day that the former Liverpool midfielder was wanted to replace Dean Smith with the main sources of the story coming from England.

Overnight the Daily Mail announced Gerrard as Aston Villa’s first choice candidate, around 8pm tonight the Telegraph claimed that he would be interested in the job if approached.

After three and a half years with one trophy to show for his efforts it now seems inevitable that Gerrard is returning to England leaving Ibrox in chaos.

At 10.15 tonight in the Glasgow (Evening) Times, the ever loyal Jack admitted:

ASTON VILLA are increasingly likely to clinch a deal to appoint Rangers boss Steven Gerrard as their new manager.

The 41-year-old has emerged as the prime candidate for the Villa Park board as they seek to replace Dean Smith following his sacking last weekend.

Gerrard is contracted to Rangers until the summer of 2024 – the same time that Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool deal expires – but could now be on his way out of Ibrox sooner rather than later.

Villa are keen to have their new manager in place before the Premier League fixture with Brighton and Hove Albion a week on Saturday as they return to action after the international break.

Gerrard was due to lead Rangers out at Hampden the following day as the champions aim to overcome Hibernian and book a place in the Premier Sports Cup final.

But Villa are now poised to make a formal approach to Rangers and attempt to strike a multi-million compensation deal to take Gerrard back to England after three-and-a-half years at Ibrox.

The Liverpool legend guided Rangers to an invincible Premiership title last term as Celtic were thwarted in their bid for ten-in-a-row but he has failed to win cup silverware during his tenure.

Gerrard voiced his frustration at his backing in the transfer market following the Europa League defeat to Sparta Prague and is thought to be open to the prospect of a return south of the border.

The loss of Gerrard would be a huge blow for Rangers at this stage of the campaign and the Ibrox board may now be facing a losing battle as Villa prepare to step up their interest in the former England captain.

With Gerrard expected to take most of his backroom team Graeme Murty could be in charge of Sevco for the League Cup semi-final against Hibs on November 21 at Hampden. It is believed that Villa would have to pay around £2m in compensation for Gerrard, Michael Beale and Gary McAllister. #letsgo