Pedro Mendes Reveals How Rangers Can Stop Celtic Matching Title Record

Mendes gave us his verdict on what Rangers need to do to prevent Celtic from matching them with 55 Scottish league titles this season.

The former Portuguese international also spoke to us about the chances of a possible return to Ibrox for Steven Gerrard, the head injury he sustained in 2006, how Jose Mourinho ranks among the great managers and reflects on his time at Portsmouth under Harry Redknapp.

How Rangers Can Stop Celtic From Equalling Their League Title Record

There are a lot of things going on at Rangers at the moment with important players like Borna Barisic and John Lundstram both leaving.

Last year they did the most difficult thing in catching up to Celtic but then they just threw everything away in two or three games.

It's their mentality that’s important. To play for a team like Rangers is not enough to just be a good player. You need to have a very, very strong mentality because every game has to be a win.

You can't afford to draw. No matter the pitch, no matter the opponent, you can't afford even a draw. Every game has to be a win. They can't afford to throw another title away.

Philippe Clement has been talking about their signings and keeping key players so hopefully they settle down quickly and can win the Premiership again. It would be a massive, massive win for Rangers this season.

Door Open For Steven Gerrard Rangers Return

Steven Gerrard did a good job at Rangers so a return in the future is always possible. With the job he did in winning the title it means the door would always be open to a return later in his career.

But at the moment the board and the fans are keen on Philippe Clement. There has been a really good feeling about him since the moment he signed and I think he needs to be allowed to prepare the team as he wants so he can win a title with Rangers.

Would your head injury from the incident with Ben Thatcher have kept you out of the game for longer if you were playing today?

Head injuries are looked at differently now to when I was taken to hospital in 2006, back then they weren’t given the attention that they needed.

Now if there is any head contact then the referee stops the game and the medical teams come onto the pitch so you don’t leave anything to chance or have any doubts.

If my injury happened now then I don’t think I would’ve been allowed to play for months, rather than the two weeks it took me to return.

Jose Mourinho Right Up There With Sir Alex Ferguson & Pep Guardiola

Jose Mourinho is alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola as the best managers of all time.

The things he achieved and the way he achieved them has been incredible. He is among the best managers of all time without question.

Mendes’ Time At Portsmouth

What It Was Like Meeting Harry Redknapp For The First Time

I love Harry Redknapp. I had a fantastic relationship with him. I remember when I signed for Portsmouth, the first place he took me was to Sandbanks, even before the training ground.

He took me to Sandbanks and it looked fantastic, then he took me to the training ground which wasn’t so great! But he was an old-school manager and I loved playing under him.

Fondest Memories of Playing for Portsmouth?

The Portsmouth fans are incredible and the club is unique. The noise of Fratton Park was amazing.

The training ground was over 30 miles away but we had a great relationship with the fans and when we won the FA Cup, I’ll never forget the parade.

That parade was fantastic. I was lucky enough to be part of a team that gave joy to those people. The people that really live it. On my wall at home I have the keys to the city which were awarded to all the players.

I went there recently for the 125th anniversary of the club and it's still the same Fratton Park, still the same fans, still the same noise. It was a fantastic two and a half years of my career and of my life.

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