EX-CELTIC manager John Barnes reckons Steven Gerrard might need to go the English Championship to prove he has what it takes to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

The Ibrox boss has been mooted as a possible replacement for Klopp once the German decides to move on, given Gerrard's legendary status at Anfield.

But before that, he needs to show what he can do in Govan - and even then, Barnes doesn't think that will be enough.

Gerrard's international team-mate Frank Lampard had to spend a year at Derby County before landing the Chelsea job and Barnes believes that the Rangers boss might have to follow suit to secure his dream role.

“I’m sure Steven would see himself managing a club in England, as that is most likely a more attractive proposition than Rangers possibly,” Barnes told BonusCodeBets. “However, it may not be a Premier League club but a Championship club — and would that be as attractive as Rangers?

“I don’t know is the answer. Steven is the only one who can decide that. So I think he will stay where he is for the time being, but never say never.”

Barnes added that he thinks Gerrard is doing a good job at Ibrox despite a second season on the spin with no silverware - arguing that Celtic are simply too good at the moment.

 “Steven has shown that he is a good manager and I believe he is where he should be,” Barnes added.

“You shouldn’t expect Rangers to be insulted because they are not as good as Celtic.

“It has nothing to do with issues of managing Rangers.

“But at the end of the day Celtic are superior, which may be down to the financial differences of the two clubs and the strength of their players, and just now Rangers are behind - despite Steven being a good manager.”