Former Rangers midfielder and youth coach Kevin Thomson stays in contact with Steven Gerrard because the League Two champion prepares for the step up.
Thomson's Kelty Hearts obtained over the road within the fourth tier title race, blowing away all competitors with 5 video games to spare.
Gerrard, now of Aston Villa after leaving Rangers in November, made positive to ship a congratulatory textual content – and he is all the time been there to lend an ear when issues weren't trying so nice for Thomson.
He even imparted knowledge from the late Gerard Houllier, the previous Liverpool gaffer whom Gerrard credit as a training inspiration.
Chatting with the Day by day Mail, Thomson stated: "He is been good for me.
"I spoke to him by the season, together with off the again of us first getting beat by Annan (5-1 on Boxing Day).
"I requested if he might bear in mind what his workforce speak was to the Rangers group after they first obtained beat. He gave me a few wee traces on what Gerard Houllier used to say.
"Getting an open door from the supervisor was invaluable. He truly messaged me on Monday. He stated he knew the dangers I would needed to take and the way laborious I've needed to work. For somebody like him to take the time, hopefully that claims you have been doing the fitting issues.
"The supervisor was completely different class. So was Mick (Beale). So was Gaz Mac (Gary McAllister).
"So have been a great deal of individuals within the academy. However you realize who was the most effective for me? The gamers. They gave me actual perception that I used to be good at what I used to be doing."
Thomson insists he wasn't given a 'job for the boys' at Auchenhowie after ranging from the bottom up along with his personal academy, which coaches children as younger as 5 years outdated.
He labored laborious to land the Below-18s function at his former membership as he added: "Folks say: 'Oh, you are working for Rangers', however I used to be doing about eight to 10 hours every week for a bag of chips and a bottle of pop, travelling by to Glasgow.
"It wasn't a monetary factor. It was a ardour to be taught whereas working for an unbelievable membership and I would have accomplished it for nothing.
"I am fairly positive there can be individuals on the market who don't love me however I am undecided anybody might begrudge a wee little bit of success after the six years I've accomplished."
However might Thomson in the future return as first-team boss?
Possibly, however owing to his time at Ibrox and in addition Hibs, he is admitted two massive jobs could possibly be dominated out.
He stated: "I by no means get too carried away about what it would appear to be in time.
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"It is so cut-throat and so aggressive. There are such a lot of individuals for thus few jobs.
"To get to the Premier League, you possibly can possibly look upon 5, six or seven massive golf equipment in Scotland. That is no disrespect to any of the others.
"I am by no means going to be the Celtic supervisor, am I? I'd by no means be the Hearts supervisor. I suppose you need to rule out some golf equipment as a result of it won't be proper and due to what you probably did as a participant. The highest for me is being sought-after and folks wanting your companies."