John Barnes insists Rangers should stick by Steven Gerrard - even if Celtic win Ten in a Row.
The former Parkhead boss believes Gerrard can't yet be expected to overcome the reigning Premiership champions over a full league season.
The pressure is firmly on Gerrard to finally deliver following two trophyless campaigns in Scottish football.
But Barnes has gauged enough progress under the Liverpool legend to justify hanging fire should he fail to stop Celtic securing a historic decade of dominance.
"Yes I do, because of the progress he's making," the 56-year-old declared when asked if he'd keep faith in Gerrard.
"And they're getting closer to Celtic. So, let's say if he doesn't win the league next year, then he should lose his job, that's not the case at all, because Rangers shouldn't win the league next year, because Celtic are still stronger than them.
"So, as long as he keeps making the progress as he has at getting closer to Celtic, I would urge everybody to give him support.
"The Rangers fans, the board, to support it. Because at the moment, Celtic still are stronger, so it's beyond realistic to expect Steven Gerrard to beat Celtic.
"I'd say, give it time."
Barnes knows the overflowing trophy cabinet at Celtic Park is difficult for Rangers fans to stomach, and that it's easier to pull the plug than swallow your pride.
That's because he's convinced the gap between the clubs is narrowing, even if that won't be reflected in the history books for now.
When Rangers returned to the top-flight in 2016, Barnes felt the rivals' respective starting positions meant the gulf was only ever likely to shorten.
But he feels it's not quite been cut enough for Gerrard to stop Neil Lennon getting his hands on Celtic's tenth consecutive league crown come the end of next term.
"Yes for sure (the gap has closed); but it was always going to be that way," Barnes told BonusCodeBets.co.uk.
"Four years ago, when Rangers came back up, they didn't have the financial opportunities to get the best players onboard to properly compete with Celtic.
"But because Rangers are a big club, with a big fan base, and the longer they stay in the Premier League, the stronger they will become. But I don't think they're quite there yet.
"But it's good for Scottish football that at least it's not just all about one team.
"You really do need a strong Celtic/Rangers confrontation and Rangers are now drawing closer every year.
"I still think Celtic will win this next year, but I think Rangers will get closer and closer."
Having lasted less than one season in charge at Celtic, Barnes is well aware of the miniscule margin for error.
He felt the fury of the Parkhead faithful in 2000 and was dumped after infamous defeats to Inverness Caley Thistle and Hearts.
But he doesn't foresee a similarly grisly ending on Gerrard's horizon, so long as Celtic don't romp their way to the fabled 10.
Barnes reckons Rangers fans will continue to cut the manager greater slack if consistently displays signs of full recovery to the club's former glory.
He added: "I think if he continues to do what he's doing in terms of the improvement they've made and continue to beat Celtic from time to time, the fans should be pleased.
"Obviously at this next year, if they're 20 points behind Celtic, then of course, the fans may thing differently, but I doubt that’ll happen."
