Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was confirmed as Aston Villa's new manager last week
The big news in the world of football last week was theappointment of Gerrard as Aston Villa’s new manager.
Gerrard was confirmed as Villa boss on Thursday morning, following his successful three-and-a-half year spell at Rangers.
The former Liverpool captain guided the Glasgow club to an unbeaten season last term, winning the club’s first Scottish Premiership title since 2011.
But his decision to depart Ibrox has left many Rangers supporters angry, especially after Gerrard played down speculation linking him with a move away weeks before his exit.
Liverpool great Sir Kenny Dalglish believes Rangers fans have every right to feel let down by Steven Gerrard.
Dalglish believes while there is no doubting that Gerrard has left the club with a heavy heart, he understands why Rangers feel dejected.
"In the days since Steven Gerrard left Rangers for Aston Villa, I don’t think the anger from the Rangers fans has subsided any,” he wrote in his Sunday Post column.
"They have every right to be disappointed and hurt.
"They feel let down and betrayed, and the range of emotions we’ve witnessed on social media are fully understandable.
"Many of them are still feeling very raw, and I can see why they are feeling dejected. One reason is the timing of Steven’s departure.
"He has left in mid-season, with a League Cup semi-final with Hibs and a huge Europa League tie against Sparta Prague on the horizon.
"And after the Europa League win over Brondby recently, when pressed live on TV about speculation around him moving to Newcastle United, he stated he was happy at the club.
"But he couldn't control when another club came in for him. Aston Villa made their move and he was persuaded to move back down south.
"You also have to try to see it from Steven’s point of view, and why he reached the decision to exit Ibrox.
"Football is all about moving from here to there. It has always happened, and it will continue to happen.
"You also have to try to see it from Steven’s point of view, and why he reached the decision to exit Ibrox.
"His reasons for leaving, I would imagine, are down to the lure of the English Premier League. That’s where every manager wants to be.
"It's not about wanting to get out of Rangers. It’s about the environment the club plays in, and the level of the SPFL Premiership.
"The top flight in Scotland just doesn’t come close to the top flight in England. That’s just a fact. That was a huge part of the reason why Brendan Rodgers left Celtic for Leicester City in 2019.
"If the Old Firm played in the EPL, I don’t think Brendan would have left Parkhead for the King Power, and Steven probably wouldn’t have quit Ibrox for Villa Park.
"Hopefully, once it has all settled down, the Rangers fans will reflect on what Steven left behind for his successor to take on."
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