“I can’t stand in his way” – Stevie shows fan-favourite the door

Steven Gerrard has effectively admitted that fan-favourite midfielder Greg Docherty is not in his plans and must leave this month to get football.

The 23-year old engine-room man was expected to be a major fixture under such a manager, but the boss just hasn’t taken to him and won’t be using him going forward bar emergency injury or suspension, and even then we suspect he’d recall a loan or make an emergency Bosman signing.

And he’s more or less conceded this himself.

He said:

“Maybe the best thing for him is to go play football – I can’t stand in his way then.”

About as clear as it gets – a manager just doesn’t say that about any player who’s even remotely part of his plans.

Docherty is finished at Ibrox under this manager, although he was furnished with an unexpected cameo in the Tashkent friendly, and it’s clearly best that the right club is found for him to move onto.

Hearts, Aberdeen, Peterborough, Shrewsbury and Hibs have been mentioned along with Wigan as interested parties, and there’s no question he’ll get a good gig.

It just has to be right for him.