Dave King’s claim that Steven Gerrard was “kicked out” as Rangers boss have gone down a storm as the former chairman, who has also called for an EGM, looks to make a return to to Ibrox.

The South Africa-based businessman was a huge influence in attracting the Liverpool and England legend to the Light Blues hot-seat with Gerrard the man who eventually took the Scottish Premiership title back to Govan. King said: “Steven was absolutely kicked out. I have no doubts about that. Steven did not want to leave at that point in time.”

Gerrard, now managing in the Saudi Pro League, spent three-and-a-half years in the Rangers hot-seat before he left for a return to the English Premier League, where he spent his playing career at Anfield, with Aston Villa.

But towards the end of his days at Rangers there were rumours swirling that he was ready to end his stay, with Newcastle United also heavily linked before Eddie Howe’s appointment. There was his infamous “Do I look happy” interview and here, following King’s claims, Record Sport looks at some key quotes pre and post his departure to see if there is any hint of him being ‘kicked out’.

Penny pinching frustration

The first signs that Gerrard wasn’t happy with the backing he was getting from the board – which might be what King is referring to – was the day after a 1-0 Europa League defeat to Sparta Prague one month before he left.

The Light Blues had gone out of the Champions League qualifiers to Malmo earlier in the season and had taken a dunt in Uefa’s second tier competition.

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And Gerrard said: “We’ve been short in the two Europa League games, but at this level – which is improving year in, year out – if we want to keep growing and going to the extra level, we need to spend big money in transfer windows. It’s as simple as that – to compete with the teams that we’re playing against, we have to spend big money. In the last two windows, we haven’t spent a penny. So there has to be some realism there as well.”

Cooking with Gaz

Gerrard elaborated on his lack of backing in an interview with Manchester United legend Gay Neville on his Overlap podcast. He said: “Rangers are a fantastic club, the support I had from the fans and the board, I couldn’t have asked for any more.

“OK, maybe after we won it I would have wanted a bit more to really go for it. Everyone had different challenges so I totally understood it. But I’m very much someone who, when you achieve something, it’s like ‘come on, let’s go again’. We tried and unfortunately we didn’t qualify for the Champions League. That’s obviously on me. We took a while to get some targets in that we wanted and had to compromise a little bit but it’s ultimately on me.” He also said in the Manager Magazine that he regretted the manner of his departure, saying: “In a perfect world I would never have left that way and I completely understand the frustrations that the club and supporters felt when I left Rangers.”

Rangers hero to Villain

After being appointed Aston Villa boss, Gerrard explained the timeline of his Ibrox departure. He said: “It was crazy and it was very quick, I was first aware of Aston Villa’s interest on Wednesday. I had a call off my representation and when the phone call sunk in, I wanted this to happen very quickly because first and foremost, the opportunity was too big and from there, it happened really, really quick. I mean, credit to Aston Villa, the speed that they got things done, not just for me but the staff that I am bringing with me as well and I must also pay my respects to Rangers who were very professional in the dealings as well. Very crazy, very quick but when you’re in that situation, that’s what you want to happen, the last thing you want is for it to drag out because you want to get in as quick as you can and start working as fast as you can.”

Final words as Rangers boss

The Light Blues had toiled to hit top form in his final season and that was perhaps best summed up in his final game as the struggled at times before coming from behind to beat Ross County 4-2 at Ibrox.

Dean Smith was sacked that day as Aston Villa boss, with Gerrard immediately the man installed as favourite. Following the Staggies win, Gerrard said: “Very pleased. We looked really mobile and dangerous, which is great. Ten goals in two league games – we’ve just got to stop conceding those sloppy goals and get back to clean sheets and being tough to play against. Because, if we do, and keep showing the quality going forward, it will be difficult to stop.”

THAT interview

Shortly before his departure, Gerrard was quizzed by BT Sport presenter Emma Dodds on rumours linking him with a move away. His response came back to bite him. “Do I look happy?, he asked. “Do I look settled? Don’t ask me silly questions then.”