Steven Gerrard’s Bold Claim: Rangers Are Bigger Than Most Premier League Teams
In a recent interview, former Rangers Coach, Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard made a bold statement that has sparked a heated debate among football fans. Gerrard claims that his former team is bigger than most Premier League teams.
Gerrard’s statement was met with a mixture of shock, amusement, and outrage from fans and pundits alike. While some have praised Gerrard’s confidence and ambition, others have dismissed his claim as nothing more than a publicity stunt.
However, Gerrard’s statement is not entirely without merit. Rangers are one of the most successful and storied clubs in Scottish football history, with a massive following and a rich tradition of success. The club holds record of being the second most decorated club in the world football.
In terms of fan base and revenue, Rangers are indeed comparable to many Premier League teams. The club’s average attendance at Ibrox Stadium is over 49,000, which is higher than many Premier League teams, including the likes of Burnley, Brighton, and Newcastle.
Moreover, Rangers’ revenue is also significant, with the club generating over £50 million in revenue in the 2020-21 season. This is comparable to many Premier League teams, including the likes of Crystal Palace, Southampton, and Watford.
However, despite Gerrard’s bold claim, it’s difficult to see Rangers competing with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal in the Premier League. These teams have significantly more resources, talent, and experience, and it’s unlikely that Rangers could compete with them on a consistent basis.
In fact, if Rangers were to be promoted to the Premier League tomorrow, it’s likely that they would struggle to finish in the top half of the table. A more realistic assessment would be that Rangers would finish around 6th or 7th in their first season in the Premier League, which would still be a respectable achievement.
Gerrard’s statement has also sparked a debate about the relative strengths of the Scottish Premiership and the Premier League. While the Premier League is widely regarded as one of the strongest leagues in the world, the Scottish Premiership has a rich history and has produced many talented teams and players over the years.
In recent years, Scottish teams have also enjoyed success in European competition, with Celtic reaching the Champions League group stages and Rangers reaching the Europa League group stages. This suggests that Scottish teams are capable of competing with the best teams in Europe, even if they may not have the same level of resources or talent.
In conclusion, while Gerrard’s statement may have been exaggerated, it’s clear that Rangers are a significant force in Scottish football and have the potential to compete with many Premier League teams. However, it’s unlikely that they could compete with the very best teams in the Premier League, and a more realistic assessment would be that they would finish around 6th or 7th in their first season in the Premier League.