Ronald de Boer has warned Rangers that some of the biggest clubs in Europe are already plotting to snatch Steven Gerrard this summer.
But the former Ibrox legend has urged the Scouser to stay put in Glasgow and further enhance his reputation in next season’s Champions League.
De Boer admits to being blown away by the job Gerrard has done over three seasons at his old club culminating in the title triumph which torpedoed Celtic’s quest to land a 10th successive league crown.
But he is convinced the former Liverpool and England skipper’s global reach will inevitably lead to offers from some of Europe’s super rich clubs.
De Boer said: “He has done so well and he has improved so many players, guys like Alfredo Morelos, who has done well over two or three years.
“I’m sure he will be on the list of the big Premier League and big clubs across Europe. I’m sure they will be eager to get him and it will be difficult for Rangers to keep him.
“However, Rangers are also a massive club and hopefully he still has ambitions with them.”
Gerrard’s work has raised eyebrows around the continent after the strides Rangers have made in the Europa League over the last two seasons - reaching the knock-out stages in back to back campaigns.
And De Boer - recently appointed as Qatar Legacy Ambassador ahead of next year’s World Cup - believes Gerrard is ready to take the next step in UEFA’s premier competition.
He said: “I think it would be great for both Gerrard and for Rangers if he stays for next season and reaches the Champions League. For his experience it would be great to hopefully come to the group stage.
“That would give him an extra bag of experience to take with him for the next step.
“But you see Ronald Koeman, for example. He did well with the Dutch national team and Barcelona came along. You think that train is only going to stop once and you have to step on it.
“Maybe that can also happen with Gerrard. You don’t know.
“But he seems like a very stable guy. He knows what he wants and that is good for Rangers.
“I have not only been impressed with him this year but all the progress before that. It is an incredible achievement and I am very proud of the whole club.
“He was a top player and he knows all about handling pressure. I think he also came at the right time as Rangers were down and he had time to build.
“It was great for him to learn on the job and he has done so well in his first job as a manager.
“He looks comfortable and confident every time you see him. It was a great pick by Rangers.”
But De Boer admits Gerrard faces a huge task in order to take Rangers back onto European football’s grandest stage.
He went on: “You have to be realistic because they have two qualifying games and you are going to face one big name.
“Realistically it is going to be really tough just to reach the Champions League. They have some great experiences in the Europa League and that will help them.
“Of course they do have a chance but it would be an unbelievable achievement just to qualify.
“Making the group stage would be a huge bonus for them in my opinion.
“In my time at the club we had a team who could really battle against anybody. One season we had nine points and still didn’t go through so that tells you how tough it is.
“That was heartbreaking but we had such a good team.
“Playing in those games at Ibrox was like an Old Firm match.
“The atmosphere under the lights was out of this world and that was an experience never to forget.
“We were never the favourites when we played but hopefully this Rangers team can surprise a few people as well.
“It is all about having the right balance and a stable foundation. Rangers have that at the moment.
“People keep saying they will have to buy more players but don’t just gamble everything on that.
“I would advise them to keep doing what they have done over the last few years and plough a lot of money into their youth academy. That is very important. “
And he warned Gerrard to expect a big backlash on the domestic front from dethroned champions Celtic.
De Boer said: “It can go quickly. Celtic will be eager to do well next season.
“But the balance is good at Rangers. Steven Gerrard is a very stable guy and the people around him are good.
“Rangers now look like a solidly managed team and club. That’s important. Stay with your feet on the ground, don’t get carried away. Then Rangers can do the same job as last year. But they have to fight and work very hard.”
