A Dream Come True

In Gareth McAuley’s case, more than 600 games for his clubs and country were required before he could finally see his dream become reality.

And while some might see the fact he played just 10 times for Rangers as a negative, merely doing it once now allows him to reflect on his career from a happier perspective.

The defender’s announcement on 30 September 2019, at the age of 39, that he had retired from playing didn’t come as much of a surprise. The time was right to take the next step and McAuley could do so with an immense sense of pride at what he had achieved.

After starting out at Coleraine, his time in English football was a period of progression. From Lincoln to Leicester and Ipswich to West Brom, he flourished more the older he got.

That was evident not just at club level but with Northern Ireland too. Winning 80 caps in all, he was a mainstay as Michael O’Neill’s team reached the last 16 at Euro 2016 in France.

All of which ultimately led McAuley to Ibrox, where he was signed by Steven Gerrard in September 2018 as back-up to new recruits Connor Goldson and Nikola Katic.

While he made only eight starts in all, he was a notable influence on the squad. In training and development games, his role there was a key one as someone to learn from.

Although it was short, McAuley’s stay in Glasgow was equally sweet and he will forever be thankful for the chance to play for his boyhood team.

He said: “Playing for Northern Ireland and enjoying the success we have had as a country in recent years is difficult to beat.

“Making my Premier League debut was special but playing for Rangers is right up there too. Pulling on the blue jersey was incredible and I’m very proud to have done that.

“To have had that chance for a few months was something I’m not even sure I know how to describe.

“It was a real honour and although I made my debut at 38, at the time I felt giddy and like I was about 18 again.

“When I was leaving West Brom, I had heard there was a chance to go to Rangers and there might even have been a chance to sign the January before that.

“It was the only place I wanted to go. Growing up as a supporter of the club and given everything which goes with that, it was hugely appealing.

“To be honest, I would have loved to sign for the club when I was much younger but unfortunately the opportunity never arose.

“When the chance did come, my wife really encouraged me and said I had to do it. We had just moved house so she was setting that up – but I was going to live out my dreams.”

Gerrard might only be in his second season as manager of Rangers but McAuley has been impressed by the Liverpool legend.

He added: “Steven’s got all the experience in the world from playing and standing on a touchline, he’s got the feel for when he needs to do things.

“The big thing for me is how level-headed he is. He’s very constructive in how he delivers praise, criticism and tactics. A lot of thought goes into everything he does.

“It’s a really modern way of coaching. Gone are the days when people would just shout and bawl at you to get a reaction and Steven is more structured than that.

“Working under him with Michael Beale and Gary McAllister – and seeing how their sessions work – was really interesting for me as someone who wants to coach too.

“It was nice to see that and to help out. I also actually really enjoyed playing in the reserve games with some of the young players, where I tried to do whatever I could to assist them.

“I still had the enthusiasm to play and physically I didn’t really feel any different. The big thing for me was that everyone else was getting younger.

“Finding common ground without feeling too much like a dad was getting a bit trickier and I felt it was the right time to go in a new direction.

“I can’t sit in the house so I’ve been out and about watching games for people and keeping involved. There have been bits of media work as well.

“Once I’m up to the right standard as a coach, where I feel comfortable and ready to do the right job, that’s what I want to do.”