Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Steven Gerrard's career path has always seemed locked on to a journey that ends with him as Liverpool manager.

How quickly he reaches that destination - and what route he takes to get there - will now be mapped out by events north of the border at Rangers.

Gerrard has stepped out of the relative comfort zone of his job as a youth coach at the club where he is an iconic figure into the Old Firm hothouse.

He will assume control of a Rangers side trailing in the wake of newly-crowned champions Celtic, who claimed their seventh successive title with a 5-0 trouncing of his new club.

So what does this move mean for Gerrard in the short and long term?

Read more, here.

Image source, Getty Images

Paul W: Seems a strange move for both. Not a patient place to learn your trade with the expectation of at least competing with Celtic. Can't see many loan signings from Liverpool's first team, certainly not Ings. Maybe from this year's youth team, taking a step up. Big gamble for both.

John D: If Celtic fans were sensible about this matter they would want Rangers to do well quickly. Were this to happen, Celtic would have added competition which would enhance their efforts across the board and especially in European competitions.

Previous Rangers managerial target Derek McInnes welcomes the arrival of Steven Gerrard at Ibrox as a "box office" boost for Scottish football.

Speaking on Thursday, McInnes said: "I think you're better to comment on these things once they have happened.

"But the prospect of a global name like Steven Gerrard coming into the Scottish game can only be seen as a good thing."

Image source, SNS

Tom English
Chief sports writer, BBC Scotland

"Those of us who love Scottish football will love it a little more now that this jaw-dropping deal has been done to bring Steven Gerrard down from football’s Hollywood Hills and into our world. It’s ambitious, it’s glamorous, it guarantees that every cough and splutter of the Gerrard reign will reverberate around football, not just Scottish football.

"It will be gripping to see how it all turns out. An act of genius or of utter folly? Who knows? Finding out will be a whole lot of fun, though. There is no doubt that this is a gargantuan gamble by Rangers. Going for a rookie manager when their problems are so vast is a spectacular roll of the dice. At this remove, it looks reckless. How can a novice survive in the intense climate that Gerrard is about to walk into?

Image source, Reuters

"If he does, it will be a miracle to stand alongside Istanbul in 2005 when his brilliance sparked one of the greatest on-field comebacks we have seen in European football. He now has to spark another comeback. What an appointment and what a eye-wateringly daunting job he faces."

Image source, PA

Blair Christie: I’m a Gers fan. It’s a tough decision for me. He either gets time to build and implement a long term youth strategy or he gets cash to buy a squad capable of winning in 1-2 seasons. Neither will work for both the club and the fans as one. Good luck SG!

Grant Heath: Laughable to see the lack of knowledge regarding the Scottish league. Based off current squad and his inexperience could easy be a tough time for Gerrard.

What do you think of Steven Gerrard's move to Rangers?

How will he fare against Brendan Rodgers' Celtic and the rest of the Scottish Premiership?

Tweet #bbcgerrard or @bbcthomasmcg with your views.

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Chris McLaughlin
BBC Sport Scotland

Steven Gerrard will be announced as Rangers' new manager on Friday afternoon.

The former Liverpool midfielder, 37, will replace Graeme Murty, who was placed in interim charge following the October sacking of Pedro Caixinha.

Gerrard, who leaves his role as a youth coach at Anfield to move north, captained the Reds and England during a glittering playing career.

He made 710 appearances and won nine trophies for Liverpool over 19 years.

He also won 114 England caps and captained the national team at three of the six major tournaments at which he played.

Gerrard retired in 2016 and joined the youth set-up at Anfield after rejecting an offer to become manager of MK Dons.

Image source, PA