Steven Gerrard officially takes charge of Rangers on Friday, four weeks after his appointment was announced.

The 38-year-old, who has signed a four-year contract with the Scottish giants, can’t wait to get started ahead of what promises to be an extremely busy pre-season at Ibrox.

“June 1, is the day I have been waiting for and I am absolutely desperate to get started officially in my role as the manager of Rangers Football Club,” Gerrard has told Rangers fans in a message posted on the club’s website. “Just saying that excites and motivates me so much.

“We need to give the players every chance to perform at their best as often as possible because that is what fans demand, and rightly so. I must say that I have already had such a warm welcome from supporters across the world and this has served to confirm my belief that it’s the fans who make this football club great.

“Everything we do will be for them. It’s time now…let’s go.”

Gerrard now faces the unenviable task of ensuring Rangers close the gap on fierce rivals Celtic, who have won the last seven Scottish Premier League titles.

A huge gulf in class currently exists between the two Glasgow-based clubs, but Rangers have hired Gerrard in the hope that he can attract talented players - both young and experienced - to Ibrox and make the team competitive again.

Redknapp has his say on Gerrard taking charge of Rangers

Harry Redknapp, the vastly-experienced British manager, has been speaking about Rangers’ decision to hire Gerrard and he believes the Scottish outfit are fortunate to have him.

"They are lucky to be getting someone of his standard at this particular time for where the club is,” he told BBC Scotland. “It's a great football club but it's been in decline, and hopefully he can go in there and turn it around.

"If he can challenge Celtic and let them know they're at their coat tails and they're trying to be back at the top again, it would be a fantastic job for him."

Absolutely.

'There aren't great players at Rangers at the moment'

It’s been constantly said how lucky Gerrard is to land such a big job with minimal experience but Redknapp makes an excellent point when he says Rangers are lucky to have him as their new manager.

Gerrard is hungry to succeed, knows the game inside out, has played under some world-class coaches and can attract big-name players.

"Just have a look how many gambles Rangers have taken in the last few years," Redknapp continued.

"In Steven Gerrard they are getting one of the greatest players you ever seen, a fella who knows the game, got great desire, fantastic knowledge.

"There aren't great players at Glasgow Rangers at the moment, that's going to be the most important part of his job. If he can bring in some good players he's got a real chance."

He added: "There's no magic formula to managing, a bit of common sense, getting the best out of people, and having good players.

"Whether Stevie feels like he would need that (a mentor) I don't know. I think he will stand on his own two feet. He's a winner, it is a magnificent signing.”