'There’s no reason Gerrard can’t provide a positive impact' – Warren Ashurst explains why the Liverpool legend is the right man for Rangers in our Expert Jury

What’s your best international bet for this weekend?

Warren Ashurst, Racing Post Sport: Serbia face a crucial clash against Albania on Saturday and the hosts look a decent price to pick up the points. The 5-0 defeat to England last month ended a five-game home run without a defeat for Dragan Stojkovic’s men, who should bounce back. Albania are one point ahead of the hosts in Group K, but they have played a game more and a win would put Serbia in a strong position to seal second spot.

Tom McGarry, Racing Post Sport: Austria are five wins from five in World Cup qualifying Group H and fresh from Thursday's 10-0 thrashing of San Marino. Confidence should be high in Ralf Rangnick's squad and they can pick up another three points when they travel to Romania. The hosts' own qualifying hopes are floundering and, after only just scraping past Moldova in a friendly, they are there for the taking.

Marcus Whittingham, Hills: Denmark host Greece in the European World Cup qualifiers on Sunday and it's difficult to see anything but a home win. The Danes completely dominated the reverse fixture last month, winning 3-0, and they'll look to do the same at home. They're a cracking price.

Ian Wilkerson, Racing Post Sport: I’ll go for both teams to score in Hungary vs Armenia. The visitors should be galvanised by a 2-1 win over Ireland and the bet has been a winner in five of their last seven matches as well as four of the Magyars’ last five.

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WA: There are ten points separating Grimsby and Colchester going into Saturday’s meeting at Blundell Park. The Mariners, 3-4 to win, have lost just one of their six home league games and go into this clash follwing an impressive 2-0 victory at promotion rivals Salford. Nobody has scored more goals in League Two than Grimsby, while Colchester have won just one of their five away league games this season.

TM: Northampton have only lost one of their last eight matches and have won their last four at their Sixfields home without even conceding a goal. The Cobblers hold League One's joint-best defensive record and they can edge past a struggling Rotherham side who are without a point on the road this season.

MW: It should be goals galore when Leyton Orient take on Doncaster in League One. The away side's 11 league games this season have produced a total of 23 goals and the hosts have seen a whopping 38 scored in theirs. Backing both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at odds-against looks great value.

IW: National League champions Barnet have recovered well from losing their opening three games in League Two. They have lost just one of their last eight and, having secured wins at Swindon, Cheltenham and Crewe, they are expected to land another away success against Tranmere, who are winless in six.

Grimsby look set for another win on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images

Who are the most vulnerable favourites?

WA: Fleetwood go into their home clash with Harrogate after just one win in their last five league games and following a defeat at struggling Cheltenham last weekend. They face a Harrogate team who are just a point behind the hosts and Simon Weaver’s men have already won at Gillingham and Bristol Rovers this season.

TM: Gillingham have lost three games in a row and still won't have manager Gareth Ainsworth in the dugout for Saturday's visit of Cheltenham. The visitors, who won their first game under the returning Steve Cotterill last weekend, look overpriced to spring a surprise at the Priestfield.

MW: In Group K there's a very interesting tie as Albania take on Serbia away from home, the reverse fixture resulted in a goalless draw and the Albanians have conceded only three goals in their five qualifiers. Two of those shipped goals came against England, so Serbia are easy to swerve at odds-on.

IW: Chesterfield’s only victory in their last six League Two matches came against bottom-of-the-table Newport, so while they are unbeaten in five at home, a win is not guaranteed against Salford, who have won three away league games and can bounce back from two straight league defeats.

Is David Raya the best keeper in the Premier League?

WA: He’s not the best, but is definitely second-best. Raya’s stats are slightly skewed by the outstanding back four and midfield protection in front of him. He has clearly grown in confidence in the last couple of years and has been impressive this term, but still doesn’t have the commanding presence of Alisson.

TM: He is not yet the best goalkeeper in the league, but he is well on his way. Arsenal have had the best defensive record in the league in the last two seasons and have conceded just three goals this term. His distribution is also good but for me Alisson and Gianluigi Donnarumma remain ahead of him, although the gap is closing.

MW: This was an easier question to answer before Man City brought in Donnarumma but I'd probably still have to say that he is. He conceded just 34 league goals last season and has let in three in Arsenal's seven games this campaign. Their very strong defence is a factor but he also has the highest save percentage in the league this season too.

IW: Playing behind a defence that is as strong as Arsenal’s is a big plus and it is all about how much presence a custodian has. In that regard, I still think Gianluigi Donnarumma is the main man in the Premier League, and he will only improve as he adjusts to English football and to playing with his new team-mates at Manchester City.

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Should Rangers reappoint Steven Gerrard?

WA: Yes and I’m still amazed he wasn’t given the job when Russell Martin was appointed. Sometimes a manager is just a good fit for a club and that seems to have been the case with Gerrard and Rangers. Brendan Rodgers going back to Celtic has led to more silverware at Parkhead and there’s no reason why a Gerrard return can’t provide the same positive impact. A win over the Bhoys in November’s League Cup semi-final will go a long way to getting the Gers fans back on side.

TM: They say never go back but it can be argued that both Rangers and Gerrard have not been the same since the former Liverpool captain departed in 2021. He led the Gers to their only league title since 2011, and Gerrard's return would surely boost a team on a low ebb. The only way is surely up for Rangers and Gerrard can help accelerate that process.

MW: Despite his poor stints at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq I do think he's a sensible appointment for them. He's worked with the team before – achieving great success – and it could give them the instant uplift that they need. He gave Rangers their first league title in a decade the last time he was there so he is proven at this level.

IW: This Premiership season is a write-off so both parties really have nothing to lose. Employing the man who won the Gers their last title will be a boost for the Ibrox faithful, who didn’t take to Russell Martin at all, and it will be a good move for Gerrard to get back in the game as his stock as a manager has fallen since he left.

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Published on 10 October 2025inSport

Last updated 15:00, 10 October 2025

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