Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer believes that Steven Gerrard and Gary McAllister can work without scrutiny at Rangers.

The duo moved into the Ibrox dug-out this summer and McAteer is of the opinion that Scottish football does not offer the same microscopic intensity that Gerrard would be subjected to England.

"I am sure Stevie was offered a number of jobs in England," he said.

"I think without being disrespectful to Scottish football that Stevie will not be in the limelight as much.

"I went in to Tranmere Rovers as assistant to John Barnes and bearing in mind that was League One Level.

"Barnesy was getting spoken about on Match of the Day and Tranmere were in the national papers almost every other day.

"Everyone was watching how we did at Tranmere because it was Barnes and he was a big name in football.

"Unfortunately we couldn't turn it around due to budget constraints and before we knew it we were under immense pressure and that was with a club in League One.

"Pressure comes with the territory of being a big football name in England.

"Now that Stevie is in Scotland he is kind of out of the English limelight.

"It is massive job being Rangers manager but he can possibly get on with doing it without the constant pressure of everybody in England looking over his shoulder and nit-picking at everything that he does."

Gerrard lost his opening game against Celtic last Sunday, a defeat which gave rise to the stat that Rangers had suffered their worst start to a league season in 29 years, something that McAteer found preposterous given the early stage of the campaign.

"Haven't they won one, drew two and lost one - is that a sackable offence?" he joked.

"It probably is these days but it is not a bad record - is it?

"Surely Stevie is not looking over his shoulder already!

"Both Steven and Gary Mac have done well getting the club into the Europa League group stages.

"It is a tough job and for many years they have been in the shadow of Celtic.

"It is going to take a few years for Rangers to get back to a certain level.

"It is an ideal opportunity for Steven and Gary Mac to step in to.

"It is a massive football club and it is a big ask but they will both get time.

"I think Stevie and Gary's contacts in the game down south will be crucial to Rangers moving forward.

"I know they have done well in Europe but Stevie and Gary will have their eye on winning the league title.

"Whether they get there remains to be seen."