Soccer-Villa the logical next step for Gerrard after restoring Rangers to glory

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Rangers v Aberdeen - Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - May 15, 2021 Rangers manager Steven Gerrard lifts the trophy as he celebrates winning the Scottish Premiership with staff and players REUTERS/Russell Cheyne/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Steven Gerrard withstood a period of intense pressure to turn fallen giants Rangers into Scottish champions again and now Aston Villa provides one of the Premier League's all-time great players with a platform to truly prove himself as a manager.

Gerrard, who spent 17 years patrolling Liverpool's midfield and scored 120 Premier League goals in 504 appearances, has been named Villa boss after the Birmingham club sacked Dean Smith on Sunday.