Former Rangers defender Michael Ball has backed old mate Steven Gerrard to pick the Ibrox side up and have another go at the league title when football eventually returns.
The ex-Everton left-back rose through the ranks at Goodison Park as Gerrard did the same with Liverpool at Anfield.
And Ball, who spent four injury-plagued years at Rangers, is happy to finally be able to cheer on Gerrard as a manager - because the Toffees-mad Ball couldn't do it in his playing days.
Speaking to the 4LadsHadADream podcast, Ball said: “Growing up with Stevie he was a great lad, obviously a great player, he was on the wrong side at Liverpool but it’s great to support him now being at my club.
“Hopefully he will be successful, and he will be given that time. He’s closing the gap.
“If you look at Celtic ’s wage bill compared to our own, there’s a massive gulf there and it’s up to Stevie now.
“He’s got to coach these players to be better players and that takes time, you hopefully want to add more players when he can each and every window.
“That’s going to happen and it’s very difficult when you see your arch-rivals winning things, you can put your head down and moan about it and point fingers but there’s nothing you can do.
“It’s up the Steven and the players to get the results in if the season starts all over again and Celtic drop points.
“Each and every year we’ll be closing the gap now so hopefully next season we’re going to be successful, we’re going to win titles and Steven is the man for that, it’s up to the board to back him.”
