Aston Villa assistant manager John Terry believes Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is overseeing a power shift between the Old Firm rivals.

The former Chelsea captain visited the Gers’ pre-season training camp in Portugal last week and caught up with his former England international teammate.

Talking about Gerrard’s impact at the Light Blues since his arrival at Ibrox a year ago, Terry said he senses that Rangers are well-positioned to challenge Celtic once again:

“You can see the balance of power shifting. Celtic are still a top side and the points difference at the top of the league showed that. But what Rangers did last season and from the games I watched, the gap has been closed for sure.”

“It’ll be really interesting now to see what happens this year. Knowing Stevie, he’ll feel he’s got unfinished business there and he’ll want to get it right this season.”

Terry also had time to talk about some of Rangers’ players.  Captain James Tavernier has been linked with a switch to Villa in recent months, while striker Alfredo Morelos has also been mentioned as a target for Premier League clubs:

The ex-defender says he feels the higher standard of the English top-flight would present a challenge for the pair, but like John McGinn, who Villa signed from Hibernian, he believes they have the potential to make it down South:

“I’ve seen quite a bit of Tavernier and Morelos. But for them to go and be first-team regulars at Premier League level would probably be a jump.”

“In the long run I’m sure they could do it just like John has – he’s shown how good he is and cemented a place. So I’m sure if they got the opportunity they’d show how good they are.”