The former Liverpool captain looks set to return to Rangers as manager
Cisse and Gerrard celebrate winning the Champions League. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Steven Gerrard has pulled out of an exhibition match organised by former Liverpool team-mate Djibril Cisse. The decision will only fuel speculation about a return to Rangers for the Anfield icon.
Cisse posted a message on his Instagram page on Tuesday confirming Gerrard would not be featuring in his "jubilee match" and offered a refund to those who had bought tickets as a result.
"Unfortunately, for professional reasons, Steven Gerrard just advised me that he won't be able to grace his presence for my anniversary next Tuesday, May 27," he said.
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"My disappointment is great by my respect for my captain goes above all.
"What we lived together in Istanbul 20 years ago, will go above and beyond. Big respect captain."
Cisse joined Liverpool from Auxerre in 2004 and played alongside Gerrard for two seasons, in which the team won the Champions League and FA Cup.
Since retiring in 2021, the Frenchman has been back at Auxerre working as the club's striker coach. The match in question will feature a team of Auxerre Legends taking on the Cisse All-Stars.
Gerrard will not feature though and his decision adds weight to the reports linking him with a return to Rangers as manager.
The former England midfielder spent three seasons at Ibrox and delivered the Scottish Premier League in 2021 after an unbeaten campaign. He left the club later that year to join Aston Villa and after being sacked by the Midlands outfur took over at Al-Ettifaq.
Gerrard left the Saudi Arabian Pro League club in January and it would appear he has been tempted to return to Glasgow.
Rangers finished a distant second to Celtic in the Scottish top flight last season and sacked Philippe Clement in February due to poor performances. Barry Ferguson took temporary charge until the end of the campaign.