Steven Gerrard is finding life difficult without the regular supply of penalties that he enjoyed while in charge at Ibrox.
At Aston Villa the Liverpool legend lasted just 40 matches before being sussed out, his successor Unai Emery has Villa in a Champions League place above Manchester United and Chelsea.
During three years at Ibrox Gerrard won just one trophy, less than Callum Davidson but with media cheerleaders north and south of the border he somehow ended up getting the Villa job.
That spell in the spotlight produced a team as lacking in substance as their manager- instead of heading to Anfield to replace Jurgen Klopp the former Liverpool skipper found himself unwanted in England.
No special advantages are being handed out to Al Ettifaq by Saudi match officials which has left Gerrard puzzled as the Daily Record reports:
We are the only team to not have a penalty, but I think we deserved it in more than one match.
It is true and this has been noted by myself and the club. I am not the one who decides the penalty kicks for our team, but we have deserved on in more than one match not just today (the draw with Al-Ittihad).
The former Ibrox boss has won six, drawn five and lost three of his Saudi Pro League matches.
It is understood that Gerrard has dropped plans for a January swoop on Ibrox to sign James Tavernier.
The former Ibrox boss has won six, drawn five and lost three of his Saudi Pro League matches.
Season 2018-19 to present day league penalty differential:
Rangers +44
Celtic +20
Killie +10
Hearts +5
St J’stone +2
Hibs -2
Aberdeen -7
M’well -13
St Mirren -13
Livi -14
Ross County -22Gerrard’s words the start of season 2018-19 had an impact ?
— Lint (@Zeshankenzo) November 28, 2023
Tavpen would be a great signing…. but only if you are guaranteed to get 20+ penalties per season. With that, he is the world’s top-scoring full-back. Without it, he’s just an aging journeyman with poor timing in the tackle and little defensive discipline, and a serial loser to boot.
Hope Slippy G’s agent got the compensation details agreed up front, as after he gets the tin-tack there he’ll be lucky to get any sort of coaching gig again, and I’m not sure I fancy haggling with the Saudis.
As the old Scouse saying goes ….de doo do doh ,do don’ de doh …de doo ..de fookin do .
Where is his “Referees have had it in for this club since the year dot” mantra that he trotted out in his first Sevco match…
There again – The Saudi FA might have some actual balls and charge him with bringing the game into disrepute !