Benitez set to become new Celtic manager – and face off against Gerrard

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Rafa Benitez and Steven Gerrard could go head-to-head in the Scottish Premiership this season.

The Champions League winning Liverpool duo could find themselves on opposing sides from Glasgow should the former Newcastle boss take over from Neil Lennon at Celtic.

The Hoops look almost certain to miss out on a tenth consecutive league title despite having three games in hand after slipping 23 points behind bitter rivals Rangers in the league.

Because of that gap Lennon looks set to be replaced in the dugout, but Benitez will have some task on his hands with the club in disarray on and off the pitch.

The Mirror have reported that Benitez, who has quit Chinese Super League club Dalian Pro, is in the frame to take over from Lennon and face off against Gerrard.

As well as their poor run of performances, a trip to Dubai has caused huge outrage among the football community in Scotland following a postive Covid-19 test.

Benitez will return to the UK having left Newcastle in 2019, having also managed Chelsea between 2012 and 2013 after his famous spell at Anfield.

The 60-year-old led the club to Champions League glory in 2005 and FA Cup triumph the following year.

Gerrard said of Benitez in his autobiography: “Rafa Benitez was like that [honest] with me on a daily basis.

“I probably played the best football of my career under Rafa. I was always searching for that praise and that ‘well done’ from him all the time, and that brought the best out of me.

”He was the one who broke my game down in every little small detail and he’d tell me things daily.

“I’d be a bit confused at times, and thinking ‘I’m not sure that’s right’ but it drove me on to produce my best football.”

Before adding: “I can see it from his side now. You think at the time when you hear things you don’t want to hear that he is picking on you.

“But he was only after the best Steven Gerrard he could get. That helped him and Liverpool be more successful. With maturity and experience you understand it better.“

Gerrard played 292 times under Benitez at Liverpool, scoring 104 goals and creating another 70.

  • Celtic FC
  • Rangers FC
  • Steven Gerrard
  • Liverpool FC
  • Scottish Premiership
  • Champions League
  • Neil Lennon

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