HIS former team-mate and captain became a legend at Rangers.
But Danny Murphy has revealed he could have made the same move to Glasgow – but played on the OTHER side of the Old Firm divide.
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It was a plan that “excited” him – but it didn’t materialise.
The former Liverpool star turned football pundit carved out a reputation as a tough-tackling midfielder with Crewe, the Reds, Tottenham and Fulham.
And could have brought his all-action style to Scotland in the early 2010s.
After initial discussions the move didn’t take off and though he did move north from London a little while afterwards – he fell 200-miles short and only got so far as Blackburn.
Murphy revealed: “There was a little bit of talk about joining Celtic with my agent when Neil Lennon was manager, during my time at Fulham.
“There were a couple of conversations. It didn’t quite materialise, but I was quite excited by it.
“I’ve played there a couple of times and the atmosphere was just incredible. Obviously they also sing You’ll Never Walk Alone.
“Maybe with hindsight, looking back, I could have maybe made that happen.
“I could’ve maybe pushed that a little bit more because it would have been an amazing experience.
“It wasn’t close, but it was a conversation.”
It remains a regret for the Englishman, capped nine times for his country during a ‘golden generation’ where he was vying with the likes of Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard and future Gers boss Gerrard in a packed midfield.
His Anfield pal Gerrard DID move to Glasgow – as Rangers boss in 2018.
He brought the league title back to Ibrox three years later before heading to Aston Villa and then Al Ettifaq where things are not going quite as well as they did in Scotland.
That, and the Gers’ own woes, has prompted speculation he could be a dugout option to replace Philippe Clement in future and end his own Saudi struggle.
And Murphy has his own view – but wouldn’t rule it out.
Speaking to Boylesports, who offer the latest Champions League odds, Murphy said: “I think it would be hard to replicate what Steven Gerrard did at Rangers before because they’re struggling. T
“heir squad is inferior to Celtic and the gap has got much bigger since he left.
“But he’s a determined man who wants to work hard and if he was to go back there and then win the league again and overcome Celtic again then it would be a huge achievement.
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“It’s hard to see him being back there but never say never.
“I like to see any English coach who’s trying to succeed and do well, putting themselves out there and accepting failure as well as successes and bouncing back.
“You’ve got Wayne Rooney at Plymouth now trying to rebuild and fighting his way through that, which is admirable because he doesn’t need to do it from a financial point of view, it’s just pure ambition.
“I think we’ll probably see Stevie do the same. I’d like to see Frank Lampard do it as well. Great lads, really keen to improve their CV.
Murphy: New UCL helps Celtic
DANNY MURPHY reckons Celtic are savouring Champions League nights again – and it’s all down to the new league format.
The Hoops have registered two wins from two at home and picked up a commendable draw at Atalanta last month – as well as being thumped by Borussia Dortmund.
But Murphy reckons the new expanded league phase suits teams like Brendan Rodgers’ – for one specific reason.
He said: “I think the new Champions League format is helping Celtic because they generally give teams a really good go at home. It’s the away form that has troubled them in recent times.
“Their performances in the last couple of years in the Champions League at home have been good, missing out narrowly against good teams.
“This new format definitely helps them. I thought the resilience to get the point in Atalanta was a credit to the players after the defeat in Dortmund and when you look at some of the home games, there’s teams they can beat.
“I think if Celtic qualify and get through into the next round, I think that’s a success. I think it really is.
“Their budget is limited, we know that. Their quality isn’t as good as some of the teams they’re coming up against.
“So this is a great opportunity for them and the format’s helped them for sure.”
The Hoops meet Belgian side Club Brugge next, at home, on November 27.
“Realistically, you’d have to say with Stevie it’s more likely to be a Championship club than a Premier League club because of his Aston Villa job looking like a failure if you like.
“I would like to see him coaching here again, it’d be nice to see him back. It’s about waiting for that chance.
“I admire the fact, obviously, there’s a financial reward for going to Saudi, but rather than sitting at home wiggling his thumbs waiting for something.
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“He went over there, coached, he’s been keeping his toe in the water if you like.
“I know it’s a lesser level but still coaching is a learning curve and if you’re not on the pitch, if you’re not coaching then you’re losing a chance to practise what you’re good at so at least if there was an option now for a Championship job for example at least he’s been at it.”
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