Liverpool legend John Barnes has warned Rangers boss Steven Gerrard that he should not consider taking the hot seat at Anfield until he has gained more experience as a manager.

The former winger used Frank Lampard’s recent experience at Chelsea as an example, saying it would be wise to make sure he doesn’t take on the job before he is ready:

“It’s all about timing. Frank Lampard is a prime example. One moment, Lampard was the golden child; an ex-Chelsea player adored by the fans, but then that quickly changed and look where he is now? Nowhere! And I don’t think that Steven is ready to follow in those footsteps quite yet. At the end of the day, if Rangers were to lose out to Celtic next year, would fans still want Steven to take over at Liverpool?”

“Life as a football manager is brutal as unfortunately, in football, you’re only as good as your last game. Furthermore, I don’t think Steven will be satisfied with just winning the league – he wants more. He wants to get into the Champions League and from his point of view, spending the next few years at Rangers is going to be really good for him, his career and most likely, for Rangers. And I’m sure that he wants to defend the league title as well.”

“But I do think Gerrard, one day, would love to manage Liverpool and if he continues to perform in the way him and his team are doing just now, I see no reason why he wouldn’t be Liverpool’s manager. Just not right now.”

Although Barnes is being rather dismissive about Gerrard’s achievements so far as a manager (winning the Scottish Premiership title is not to be scoffed at), Gers fans won’t be complaining about his advice to stay put and win more trophies at Ibrox.

There is certainly a lot more to achieve in Scotland for Gerrard. Winning both domestic cups has to be a target, whilst getting to the group stages of the Champions League and testing his mettle against the best in Europe is certainly another ambition he can realize at the Scottish champions.