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      Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard can be best British boss since Man Utd’s Sir Alex Ferguson, says Celtic fan Steve Evans

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      STEVE EVANS believes Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is in line to become the best British manager since Sir Alex Ferguson.And the Gillingham gaffer reckons his fellow Celtic fans must now be praying that Liverpoolswoop to take Gerrard away from Ibrox.
      Steve Evans rates Steven Gerrard as the best British boss since Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty
      Steven Evans reckons Steven Gerrard could go on to do as well as Sir Alex FergusonCredit: PA
      Evans has been hugely impressed by the job the former England midfielder has done in delivering Rangers’ first title for a decade.
      And he thinks Gerrard’s humility has been the key behind that success.
      The former Leeds United boss told the Sunday Mail: “I think Steven could become the best British manager in a long time, since Sir Alex .
      “And that’s a big problem for the club that I love most, Celtic.
      “I just love Steven’s passion. I listened to a podcast recently with him and Jamie Carragher.
      “A lot of what he discussed about Glasgow Rangers was about how big it is and where he can take it.
      “He’s a really humble boy, from a humble background. And that’s the same as the people from Glasgow, who are the most humble in the world.
      “Steven being there is a worry for Celtic. Every Celtic fan is waking up now hoping Liverpool get beat that day.
      Steve Evans manages Gillingham in League OneCredit: Getty
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      “Because there’s only one club in the world Steven would leave Rangers for, Liverpool.
      “Every day he’s at Rangers, is a problem for the club that I love most in the world.
      “It was hard for me to tell my family in Glasgow that I thought Rangers would be champions.
      “But that was based on their recruitment.
      “I knew all the players Rangers were getting because I’ve come across them as a manager in my own career.”
      Evans also thinks James Tavernier will hang around at Ibrox because he loves the club – despite Premier League clubs coming in for the Rangers skipper who he managed at Rotherham.
      Some days when he’s out for a run, he’ll go past Ibrox – just to have a look at the placeSteve Evans on Gers skipper James Tavernier
      He added: “I believe Premier League clubs have come in for James. I’ve spoken to four or five bosses who wanted a character reference on him. That’s just in the last six months.
      “But James loves being at that club. Some days when he’s out for a run, he’ll go past Ibrox – just to have a look at the place.
      “He’d never say that in public but that tells you how much the kid loves it there.”
      Rangers skipper James Tavernier is wanted by a number of Premier League clubsCredit: PA
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      Sir Alex Ferguson chose David O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill as his Man Utd successors in 2000 if he quit

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could have had Martin O’Neill, Alan Curbishley or David O’Leary as their manager in the year 2000.The trio were Sir Alex Ferguson’s picks if he had decided to leave Old Trafford at the turn of the century.
      Sir Alex Ferguson recommended three managers to take over from him at Man Utd in 2000Credit: PA
      Celtic chief Dermot Desmond revealed the trio had been eyed as replacements for the legend.
      At the time O’Leary, 62, was managing Premier League new boys Leeds while Curbishley and O’Neill were head coaches at Charlton and Leicester. 
      And Desmond told The Athletic he offered to increase Ferguson’s salary by 50 per cent with Scottish giants Celtic in 1997. 
      However the Red Devils boss’ wish to win the Champions League saw him remain with the Manchester giants. 
      And the Old Trafford side went on to capture the trophy two years later. 
      Desmond, 70, reportedly went back to Ferguson a few years later to enquire as to who the Glasgow-born manager would choose to replace him at United. 
      He said there were three people: Dave O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’NeillDermot Desmond
      And Ferguson, 79, told the Irish tycoon he had identified O’Leary, Curbishley and O’Neill.
      The latter would eventually land the Celtic manager’s job thanks to a meeting with the club’s then directors – Brian Quinn and Pat Sheehy – which came about through Ferguson’s input. 
      Desmond said: “In 2000, I went back and asked him if he was to pick his replacement at that time who would it be. 
      Alan Curbishley was also eyed as a possible Manchester United coach and Ferguson replacementCredit: Back Page Images
      “He said there were three people: Dave O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill. 
      “I said the one I’m interested in is Martin O’Neill. 
      “I had previously asked a prominent broadcaster if Martin would be interested in the job and I got a response in the negative. 
      “I then asked Alex if he would speak with Martin, to see if he would meet with me, and the response was that he would be very interested in meeting. 
      “So I met Martin for dinner and we got on very well. I introduced him to Pat and Brian and they also felt he was a remarkable individual, so we hired Martin.” 
      Having captured two League Cups with Leicester in 1997 and 2000, O’Neill went on to win three trophies in just over 11 months following his arrival at Celtic.
      And the 69-year-old and his team won three Scottish Premiership titles with a team boasting stars including Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton. 
      David O’Leary led Leeds United to the Champions League semis after being eyed as a potential Old Trafford managerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But neither he nor O’Leary or Curbishley, 63, were able to match Ferguson’s trophy-winning record. 
      However the Northern Irishman proved to be the most successful of the three. 
      He went on to manage Sunderland and Aston Villa as well as doing a five-year international management spell with the Republic of Ireland. 
      His most recent managerial post was with Nottingham Forest with the Championship club sacking the coach just five months into the job. 
      Elsewhere, O’Leary’s tenure with Leeds came to an end in 2002 with the former Gunners player helping the Elland Road club to reach the semis of the Champions League. 
      And Curbishley’s 15-year stint at Charlton finished 2006 after he helped the club secure promotion in 1998. 

      It’s reported the managerial trio were identified prior to the eventual succession plan put in place for Ferguson with David Moyes landing the job as his United replacement. 
      However the former Everton boss, 57, who is now in charge of West Ham, lasted just eight months in the Old Trafford hotseat before being sacked in 2014. 
      United finished seventh in the league in the 2013-14 season.
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      Fireworks set off during two-minute silence for Prince Philip as Celtic and Livingston players try to pay respects

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      CELTIC fans appear to have set off fireworks during a two-minute silence for Prince Philip.Football grounds across the United Kingdom fell silent on Saturday afternoon to pay tribute to the Prince of Edinburgh, who passed away at Windsor Castle on Friday morning at the age of 99.
      Celtic and Livingston’s players observe a minute’s silence for Prince Philip – but it was disturbed by fireworksCredit: The Sun
      Celtic were facing Livingston on Saturday afternoon as they got back to Premiership action with a thumping 6-0 win.
      However, the result was overshadowed by events before kick-off as fireworks could be heard being set off outside the Glasgow stadium, as players stood silent on the pitch.
      Several stars from both sides looked upwards to the skies.
      The noise of the fireworks going off were picked up on both the radio and Celtic TV’s coverage of the game.
      A commentator said: ‘I think that was some fireworks going off outside Celtic Park. Not sure what that was but some pretty loud bangs anyway.’ 
      It remains unclear exactly where or who it was that set them off during the silence.
      Prince Philip passed away yesterdayCredit: Alamy
      Meanwhile, Celtic interim boss John Kennedy admits he hasn’t spoken to club chiefs about his concerns over the SPFL’s inconsistencies in punishments.
      Nathan Patterson, Bongani Zungu, Calvin Bassey, Dapo Mebude and Brian Kinnear were handed six-game bans after breaching Covid-19 restrictions.
      However, Rangers have since appealed the verdicts and their case now won’t be heard until April 20.
      That frees the players up for next week’s Old firm clash with Celtic.
      Kennedy said: “I haven’t spoken to anyone at the club regarding that, I was asked for my opinion on it.

      “A lot of that was directed towards the SFA’s protocols in terms of how they deal with these matters.
      “I said what I had to say at the time.
      “I was asked for my opinion, I gave it and from now on, it’s up to them to deal with that and we’ll focus on our football.
      “It’s Rangers’ situation and the SFA’s. We just ask the question in terms of the consistency in those decisions.”
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      Rangers track Morecambe winger Carlos Mendes Gomes with ex-Atletico Madrid youth’s contract up in the summer

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      RANGERS are tracking Morecambe winger Carlos Mendes Gomes.The Senegal-born attacker, 22, has been watched a number of times this season and the Scottish champions have contacted the League Two side about a potential move.
      Morecambe winger Carlos Mendes Gomes, 22, is being tracked by RangersCredit: Getty
      SunSport also understands Rangers have done their due diligence on the ex-Atletico Madrid youth.
      Gomes is out of contract at the end of this season and could be available on a free if he doesn’t sign a new contract at Morecambe.
      The forward, who was born in Dakar and raised in Tenerife, moved to Manchester with his family when he was 15.
      He spent two years in the Atletico academy, but his first two years in English football were spent at non-league West Didsbury.
      He operates mainly on the right wing and has been with the Shrimps for three seasons.
      Meanwhile, Celtic have been in contact with the SFA demanding clarification over the Rangers Covid five delay.
      Hoops chiefs are seeking answers from Hampden after charges against the Ibrox rule-breakers – with an appeal still to be heard nearly two months on from the illegal incident.
      Nathan Patterson, Bongani Zungu, Calvin Bassey, Dapo Mebude and Brian Kinnear were caught up at a house gathering in February, in a clear breach of coronavirus protocol.
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      The Gers have been watching the Senegal-born attacker closelyCredit: Alamy

      The five players were each hit with with four-match bans, plus a further two games suspended.
      However, Rangers appealed this decision, therefore freeing up Patterson and the rest to play for their respective clubs in the mean time.
      The hearing will now be held on Saturday – with Patterson, Zungu and Bassey therefore free to face Celtic.
      The Hoops are unhappy as Hampden chiefs hit them with punishment for Boli Bolingoli’s breach within four days earlier this season, with the Hoops having games postponed that left them playing catch up in the league.
      And now, Celtic have met with Scottish football’s governing body to seek clarity on the Ibrox five situation.
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      West Ham fighting Dortmund for Jordan Larsson – son of Celtic hero Henrik – as 23-year-old impresses at Spartak Moscow

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      WEST HAM and Borussia Dortmund are both reportedly keen on signing Spartak Moscow star Jordan Larsson – son of Celtic legend Henrik.The striker, 23, has been in excellent form in the Russian Premier League this season and has attracted attention from across Europe.
      West Ham and Borussia Dortmund could go head to head for Jordan LarssonCredit: Getty
      Henrik Larsson and son Jordan at his testimonial match between Celtic and Sevilla in 2004Credit: PA:Press Association
      West Ham are in desperate need of striker with injury prone Michail Antonio their only recognised front man on the books.
      And with Erling Haaland heavily linked with a move away from Dortmund at the end of this season, the Bundesliga side are in the market for a replacement.
      Larsson is on the radar of both teams, according to Goal.
      Spartak signed Larsson from Swedish side Norrkoping for £3.5million in August 2019.
      The Sweden international has bagged 12 goals for Spartak in 23 Russian Prem matches so far this season.
      He was also voted the club’s player of the month for March
      Jordan grew up in football circles with dad Henrik playing for Celtic, Barcelona and Manchester United since he was born in 1997.
      And in December, he revealed he would love to follow in his dad’s footsteps and play for the Bhoys in Green.
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      He said: “For me Celtic will always have a special place in my heart.
      “Not that I’ve played there in that sense, but it was the first place where I saw football as a young kid going with my mother to see games when my father was playing.
      “That’s where I have the biggest memories in my head.
      “‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ you have all the scarves before the games and everything so of course it will always have a special place in my heart.
      “But at the same time since my father is who he is at the club I think for me personally if I would ever have the chance to play there then I would like to establish myself even more, make my own name before I would play there if that chance would ever come up but of course it’s tempting.
      “Not that they are interested in that sense but If I think about it to be able to play there would be a dream in that sense.
      “For me my whole life has been about proving I’m a good player, that I’m my own person you know.”
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      Eddie Howe plotting Josh King transfer move to Celtic from Everton ahead of being confirmed as boss this week

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      EDDIE HOWE wants Josh King to snub the Premier League and become one of his first Celtic signings.The incoming Hoops boss has identified the Norwegian hitman as a replacement for wantaway striker Odsonne Edouard.
      Eddie Howe wants Everton flop Joshua King should he be confirmed Celtic bossCredit: Ryan Browne – The Times
      King has struggled to impress at Everton after joining on a short-term deal from Bournemouth, but several English clubs are still keen on him.
      Howe will have to talk his former Cherries striker into taking a wage cut if they are to be reunited in Glasgow.
      King, 29 – understood to be earning £45,000 a week at Goodison – enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career when he worked under Howe.
      He has yet to start a match for Everton and looks certain to quit the club this summer.
      That could see Celtic land a player, linked with a big-money return to first club Manchester United two years ago, on a free.
      King’s 169 top-flight appearances in England have produced 48 goals. He is also capable of operating on either flank.
      He credits mentor Howe for his rise and would relish the chance to work under him again.
      Howe might not be confirmed as Neil Lennon’s successor until next week and may not take charge until the summer.
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      King played his best football under Howe at BournemouthCredit: Reuters

      But he’s working flat out behind the scenes in a bid to identify signings.
      SunSport revealed last Sunday that Bournemouth centre-back Steve Cook, 29, is another target.
      Howe faces a huge rebuild at Parkhead, with Scott Brown heading a list of players leaving.
      Moi Elyounoussi, Diego Laxalt, Jonjoe Kenny and Shane Duffy will all return to their parent clubs.
      And Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie could all be sold in big-money deals.
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