WW55 on the PRW
Well-Known Member
And hence a few of the multiple reasons the biased media and the poet peasants will do as much as they can to sicken him of Scottish football in an effort to get him to leave, enjoy the read bears;
The evolution of Steven Gerrard as told by those who have witnessed it
Melissa Reddy
4 hrs ago
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/foo...on-police-advice/ar-BB14Lc2r?ocid=mailsignout
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/pre...ugh-the-pandemic/ar-BB14Ks0g?ocid=mailsignout
© Provided by The Independent
“At his peak he was the best in the world,” was Zinedine Zidane’s assessment. Francesco Totti would circle him as “the captain of my World XI dream team.” For Paolo Maldini, “his story is one of those stories to be told, one of those fairytales, to be narrated to your children and grandchildren.”
Steven Gerrard first walked through Liverpool’s academy doors as an eight-year-old, and by the time he last exited it to become manager of Rangers, he’d established himself as one of the finest players the game has seen.
As he celebrates his 40th birthday, those who witnessed his evolution from gifted kid to world-class player, captain extraordinaire, youth coach and are now following his embryonic career in the dugout exclusively detail his standout traits to The Independent.
Hugh McAuley
Was responsible for Liverpool’s Centre of Excellence, where he coached Gerrard from the age of eight.
© Provided by The Independent Gerrard in action against Leeds, in February 2000 (Getty)
When I see Steven, it’s almost as if we go back to that time when he was just a young boy because he has all the same qualities. His personality has not changed from the Steven Gerrard that came from Whiston Juniors and was desperate to play for Liverpool to the Steven Gerrard that became one of the best players in the world and is now an exciting young manager.
When we text or meet each other, it’s like we last spoke yesterday because everything is really easy with him. He cares deeply for people and that was evident when he first came to Liverpool’s academy and it’s a trait that remained regardless of all his success.
I’ve worked for his foundation and there are a lot of charity causes that he supports and good work that he does very quietly. He gives back without any fuss and has never forgotten where he’s come from.
© Provided by The Independent During his maiden professional campaign, against Wimbledon in 1998 (Rex)
Because of his dynamic football style, people may think that Steven is loud and the centre of attention, but that’s far from the case. He’s a deep-thinker, is quiet and really let his football speak loudest. He was a leader in terms of bringing the best out of his teammates and taking care of them rather than needing to generate fear.
From a very young age, Steven always wanted to influence the game as much as he could. He was very competitive, he always wanted to be the best player on the field and had ultimate confidence in what he could do. He could run the ball himself, he could pick any kind of pass, he could score all types of goals, he’d track back – he was really complete as a kid, which we got to see throughout his career.
I’ve known Steven for 32 years now and I will say, with all the conviction, that he will become a great manager because he is not half-hearted about anything he does. There will be complete commitment from him to reach the top of the game from the technical area too. Steven is a winner, but he is also just a really good lad that has a positive impact on the lives of everyone around him.
Gerard Houllier
Liverpool manager from 1998 to 2004. Gave Steven Gerrard his debut aged 18 and the captaincy at 23.
© Provided by The Independent Celebrating victory over Levski Sofia at Anfield in February 2004 (Getty)
I first watched Stevie when Liverpool’s Under-19s had a game against Blackburn’s Under-19s and I was there to look at an option that could work on the right wing for the first team. Instead, there was a player in the middle of the park practically running the show. He was constantly instructing his teammates, running from one box to the other one, shooting, tackling and had great passing ability. It looked as if he had everything.
During half-time, I asked who he was and they told me he’s actually Under-17 and was only helping out because they were short of players. So he was younger than everyone, but he stood out. He didn’t look out of place, he belonged at a higher level so after the game I told him to come train at Melwood with the pros the next day.
If he was nervous, he never showed it. He fitted straight in. We knew we had to build the resistance in his body and reduce some rash decisions. The first year he got around 13 games, the second 31 and then 50. We had to condition him because he was only 17 when we decided he would be a first-team player for Liverpool.
With Stevie, you need to split how you discuss him into three categories. One, is the player. There are three stages: top-flight level, international level and a small pool that are world-class level. Stevie belonged to that limited category of player that drove his team to trophies and could walk into any starting line-up at any top club. He has scored in an FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Uefa Cup final. He would always decide important games and he responded rather than hid when the stakes were very high. That is the true mark of a world-class player.
The second thing about Stevie is his leadership. That characteristic was obvious from the first time I saw him. Despite his young age and not even being part of the Under-19s set-up at the time, he was shouting at his teammates, making sure they were in the right positions and tracking back. Some players shrink when it comes to responsibility. They get inhibited, others thrive and really blossom and that was Stevie.
© Provided by The Independent Houllier managed Gerrard from 1998 to 2004 (Rex)
At the age of 23, he became captain of Liverpool and I gave him the armband because he was built for it. He was a perfect leader, so inspiring not just with what he could do on the pitch, but how he was off it. Stevie could take a game by the scruff of the neck and make things happen when others would have just given up. He was very encouraging, he could be demanding but he was very good for his teammates, which is why they were so happy to follow him.
The third aspect of Stevie is his personality. Every person who has worked with Stevie will tell you he had intelligence, desire and extremely strong character. He has never stopped putting in hard work to succeed and he sacrificed a lot to be where he is today. There are qualities that are very important to know about him.
Stevie is loyal: to his family, to his friends, his teammates, to his clubs, to his agent, to his staff and the players he manages now. He is also really generous, he has a big heart and there are many things that he did to help people that you will never know about. Stevie is also incredibly humble. He has ambition, yes, but is is combined with humility.
I watched him grow from a kid to become a one of the best players in the world and an example of what a captain should be, but his personality has never changed. He is still the same Stevie and I’m sure that he will be a top manager because he will work towards that. He is not arrogant, he started with the youth at Liverpool’s academy and is now building his way through this new career.
Humility will bring him to being the best, because he looks after his people. He looked after his teammates and now he looks after his players. Stevie never wanted the attention for himself, he would praise everyone else even in the team meetings we had. People have always wanted to follow him because he is the kind of person that gives everything for you.
The evolution of Steven Gerrard as told by those who have witnessed it
Melissa Reddy
4 hrs ago
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/foo...on-police-advice/ar-BB14Lc2r?ocid=mailsignout
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/pre...ugh-the-pandemic/ar-BB14Ks0g?ocid=mailsignout
© Provided by The Independent
“At his peak he was the best in the world,” was Zinedine Zidane’s assessment. Francesco Totti would circle him as “the captain of my World XI dream team.” For Paolo Maldini, “his story is one of those stories to be told, one of those fairytales, to be narrated to your children and grandchildren.”
Steven Gerrard first walked through Liverpool’s academy doors as an eight-year-old, and by the time he last exited it to become manager of Rangers, he’d established himself as one of the finest players the game has seen.
As he celebrates his 40th birthday, those who witnessed his evolution from gifted kid to world-class player, captain extraordinaire, youth coach and are now following his embryonic career in the dugout exclusively detail his standout traits to The Independent.
Hugh McAuley
Was responsible for Liverpool’s Centre of Excellence, where he coached Gerrard from the age of eight.
© Provided by The Independent Gerrard in action against Leeds, in February 2000 (Getty)
When I see Steven, it’s almost as if we go back to that time when he was just a young boy because he has all the same qualities. His personality has not changed from the Steven Gerrard that came from Whiston Juniors and was desperate to play for Liverpool to the Steven Gerrard that became one of the best players in the world and is now an exciting young manager.
When we text or meet each other, it’s like we last spoke yesterday because everything is really easy with him. He cares deeply for people and that was evident when he first came to Liverpool’s academy and it’s a trait that remained regardless of all his success.
I’ve worked for his foundation and there are a lot of charity causes that he supports and good work that he does very quietly. He gives back without any fuss and has never forgotten where he’s come from.
© Provided by The Independent During his maiden professional campaign, against Wimbledon in 1998 (Rex)
Because of his dynamic football style, people may think that Steven is loud and the centre of attention, but that’s far from the case. He’s a deep-thinker, is quiet and really let his football speak loudest. He was a leader in terms of bringing the best out of his teammates and taking care of them rather than needing to generate fear.
From a very young age, Steven always wanted to influence the game as much as he could. He was very competitive, he always wanted to be the best player on the field and had ultimate confidence in what he could do. He could run the ball himself, he could pick any kind of pass, he could score all types of goals, he’d track back – he was really complete as a kid, which we got to see throughout his career.
I’ve known Steven for 32 years now and I will say, with all the conviction, that he will become a great manager because he is not half-hearted about anything he does. There will be complete commitment from him to reach the top of the game from the technical area too. Steven is a winner, but he is also just a really good lad that has a positive impact on the lives of everyone around him.
Gerard Houllier
Liverpool manager from 1998 to 2004. Gave Steven Gerrard his debut aged 18 and the captaincy at 23.
© Provided by The Independent Celebrating victory over Levski Sofia at Anfield in February 2004 (Getty)
I first watched Stevie when Liverpool’s Under-19s had a game against Blackburn’s Under-19s and I was there to look at an option that could work on the right wing for the first team. Instead, there was a player in the middle of the park practically running the show. He was constantly instructing his teammates, running from one box to the other one, shooting, tackling and had great passing ability. It looked as if he had everything.
During half-time, I asked who he was and they told me he’s actually Under-17 and was only helping out because they were short of players. So he was younger than everyone, but he stood out. He didn’t look out of place, he belonged at a higher level so after the game I told him to come train at Melwood with the pros the next day.
If he was nervous, he never showed it. He fitted straight in. We knew we had to build the resistance in his body and reduce some rash decisions. The first year he got around 13 games, the second 31 and then 50. We had to condition him because he was only 17 when we decided he would be a first-team player for Liverpool.
With Stevie, you need to split how you discuss him into three categories. One, is the player. There are three stages: top-flight level, international level and a small pool that are world-class level. Stevie belonged to that limited category of player that drove his team to trophies and could walk into any starting line-up at any top club. He has scored in an FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League and Uefa Cup final. He would always decide important games and he responded rather than hid when the stakes were very high. That is the true mark of a world-class player.
The second thing about Stevie is his leadership. That characteristic was obvious from the first time I saw him. Despite his young age and not even being part of the Under-19s set-up at the time, he was shouting at his teammates, making sure they were in the right positions and tracking back. Some players shrink when it comes to responsibility. They get inhibited, others thrive and really blossom and that was Stevie.
© Provided by The Independent Houllier managed Gerrard from 1998 to 2004 (Rex)
At the age of 23, he became captain of Liverpool and I gave him the armband because he was built for it. He was a perfect leader, so inspiring not just with what he could do on the pitch, but how he was off it. Stevie could take a game by the scruff of the neck and make things happen when others would have just given up. He was very encouraging, he could be demanding but he was very good for his teammates, which is why they were so happy to follow him.
The third aspect of Stevie is his personality. Every person who has worked with Stevie will tell you he had intelligence, desire and extremely strong character. He has never stopped putting in hard work to succeed and he sacrificed a lot to be where he is today. There are qualities that are very important to know about him.
Stevie is loyal: to his family, to his friends, his teammates, to his clubs, to his agent, to his staff and the players he manages now. He is also really generous, he has a big heart and there are many things that he did to help people that you will never know about. Stevie is also incredibly humble. He has ambition, yes, but is is combined with humility.
I watched him grow from a kid to become a one of the best players in the world and an example of what a captain should be, but his personality has never changed. He is still the same Stevie and I’m sure that he will be a top manager because he will work towards that. He is not arrogant, he started with the youth at Liverpool’s academy and is now building his way through this new career.
Humility will bring him to being the best, because he looks after his people. He looked after his teammates and now he looks after his players. Stevie never wanted the attention for himself, he would praise everyone else even in the team meetings we had. People have always wanted to follow him because he is the kind of person that gives everything for you.