STEVEN GERRARD can't afford to look forward to potentially becoming Liverpool manager in the future.

That's the view of ex-Celtic gaffer John Barnes. 

The former Reds and England striker believes Gerrard must keep all of his focus on his job at Ibrox, and secure at least one more league title before looking ahead to moving on to pastures new.

Barnes points out that his old side Celtic are not far behind their arch city rivals in the title race. 

So he is keen to warn Gerrard that he can't take his eye off the ball.

He told Bonus Code Bets: "Rangers aren’t pulling away, they’re only four points ahead of Celtic, so that could quickly turn around.

"Rangers were 20 points ahead last season and it clearly won’t be the same as last season when they won the title by 30 points and went unbeaten.

"It’s going to be much harder for them, even though they’re still the favourites.

"If Rangers don’t win the league this year and they don’t win it next year Steven Gerrard won’t get the Liverpool job. If you think long term in football it comes to bite you on the bum.

"He has to concentrate on doing well at Rangers because he won’t be going to Liverpool at the end of this season. He has to continue what he’s doing."