Abject despair on Follow Follow as Gerrard walks away!

Ibrox fans were plunged into fresh misery last night with the news that Steven Gerrard had walked away.

It is the third time in five years that he has snubbed his beloved club. In October 2021 he walked away to Aston Villa. This summer he dropped out to leave the way clear for Russell Martin. Gerrard gets it, he loves the club #letsgo.

At lunchtime on Thursday news emerged from the trusted messengers that Gerrard was in London for talks. Andrew Cavenagh was jetting in. Ibrox Chairmen and owners never just fly.

All the jigsaw pieces were falling into place. Soon word emerged of Gerrard’s new backroom team. Of course it wouldn’t include Micky Beale, former England No 2 Steve Holland would be the brains this time.

Jermain Defoe was on Instagram like an excited teenager. Insta is his favourite recruiting platform.

After chasing Martin out of Falkirk the bears were about to get their wish.

The only manager in a generation to win a title was on his way back to Ibrox. Some were even planning a party in George Square to celebrate.

What could possibly go wrong other than a visit from reality?

On Friday morning the Scottish Daily Express announced that it was a done deal.

The white smoke would be launched later that day. All the messengers jumped on board, what a weekend it was going to be after the misery of Martin.

Of course there was never any substance to it, It is 20 years since the Express was in the Ibrox news loop.

By lunchtime the excitement had got out of hand, Gerrard’s January transfer budget and signing targets were being discussed by legacy media.

NOW FOR THE BAD NEWS, REALITY

And the came Chris Jack of the Rangers Review. Across social media he is known as the Grim Reaper, with a long track record for pissing on chips.

When the media gets carried away Jack is sent out to calm down the frenzy. He tweeted that talks would continue next week, no white smoke on Friday afternoon. Those capable of adding two plus two knew the real message he was sending out.

After an hours pause more upbeat news was soon shared.

Thursday’s talks were actually constructive. Gordon Duncan hung onto that phrase on Sky Sports News and Radio Clyde. Everyone in the loop knows the drill.

Jack’s tweet had cautioned a small percentage of bears for bad news. Most of the Gullible and Deluded didn’t want to know. They were on board the Gerrard Express.

Throughout Saturday the hype continued, clicks are more valuable than credibility these days.

WHAT ON EARTH COMES NEXT?

At 8.18pm on Saturday Raman Bhardwaj broke the bad news. The STV veteran has been on-message for over 20 years. Across both clubs.

The other messengers were informed five minutes later, they already knew that Raman had it spot on.

Instantly fans turned to their favourite message board to share their grief.

Anger was getting directed in all directions. Gerrard got a little but not much.

‘The Americans’ were the main target which is presumably Andrew Cavenagh and Paddy Marathe, the heroes of the summer.

THE BLAME GAME

Kev Thelwell was the main target. In four months he has built up a structure/empire that no credible manager will go near. Topped off last week by appointing his 26-year-old son Robbie as Head of Recruitment.

Summer recruitment consisted of English lower league jobbers similar to Ben Davies and Todd Cantwell. Topped off by expensive loan signings that have flopped and who are counting the days down to their escape. Most will be looking for a January recall.

The bears have been left high and dry. They got rid of Martin but the most famous boss in 13 miserable years has turned down the chance to return.

Danny Rohl is the highly unpopular favourite now for the job. The German Martin, all power-point and no minerals.

Surely the owners will now play the staunch card and turn to Derek McInnes or Barry Ferguson. If they can be convinced.

Failing that it is Sportsound time again. Neil McCann and Billy Dodds would jump at it, knowing that when they get the sack the door is always open at BBC Scotland.

Apparently Gerrard has left the door open to a future return. A new saviour is never more than 12 months away at Ibrox.