Tuesday 26 February 2019 19:20, UK
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard says the lure of the Premier League is too much for Celtic's Brendan Rodgers to turn down.
Gerrard played under Rodgers at Liverpool and his Celtic counterpart is set to return to the Premier League to become Leicester's new manager, according to Sky sources.
Rodgers has led Celtic to back-to-back domestic trebles while Gerrard, who took over at Ibrox in the summer, has gone head to head with him twice, losing 1-0 in September but winning by the same scoreline in December.
"I have worked with Brendan so I know he is a very good coach," Gerrard said on Tuesday. "It seems (the lure of Premier League has been a big factor) otherwise he'd have declined the opportunity to talk to Leicester.
"I'm not really surprised by the timing because these things happen. Brendan has done ever so well at Celtic over the years so it's no surprise that other clubs are watching him and wanting to acquire his services."
Rangers confirmed an overall profit of £5.2m for the six months to December 31 2018 on Monday, driven by the hiring of Gerrard and subsequent Europa League qualification which improved commercial opportunities and season ticket sales.
Meanwhile, Jermain Defoe scored as Rangers thrashed Hamilton 5-0 on Sunday, moving them five points clear of third-placed Aberdeen but they remain eight points behind leaders Celtic as they prepare to face Dundee on Wednesday.
"The reaction since St Johnstone has been very good," Gerrard added.
"I have been more impressed with the hunger of the groups, there is always a danger the players think they can just turn up but they have to show the same intensity.
"We have shown a very good reaction and played with a lot of freedom.
"Alfredo (Morelos) is available tomorrow, (Andy) Halliday and (Matt) Polster are both doubts, I had hoped to include Polster tomorrow.
"Halliday has been excellent, every job I have asked him to do he does well. He has been a leader on and off the pitch and it's great to have him here.
"He has a little bit of a tight groin at the moment, Andy would play with four injuries so I might have to be sensible."
Rangers' fixture against 10th-placed Dundee at Ibrox on Wednesday will see Glen Kamara, who joined Gerrard's side in January, go up against his former team.
"Kamara has spoke well about Dundee and his time there, I'm sure he is looking forward to facing his old team," Gerrard said.
"I know Kamara was a bargain, he is a top player. He was schooled well at Arsenal and Neil McCann did a great job with him at Dundee."
