Gerrard waits to discover where his future lies

ANTHONY GERRARD . . . the dependable defender is unsure what the future holds.

ANTHONY Gerrard is playing a waiting game over the possibility of a longer stay with Athletic.

His second stint at the club has seen the 29-year-old meet up with manager John Sheridan for the first time when boarding the coach to Shrewsbury.

Eighteen games and 32 points later and the club has achieved safety with two games to spare.

“It all depends. It is ‘ifs, buts and maybes’,” said Gerrard when asked if he would consider signing for next season.

“Even if I don’t end up here, this place will hold a fondness with me forever.”

RECALLS

Ahead of tomorrow’s game at Millwall, the former Cardiff and Huddersfield centre-back recalls the months earlier in the campaign when nobody would touch him, until Shrewsbury came in with a non-contract offer that saw him play for free.

“I wanted to be part of any squad from June, July, August and September, but nobody would take me,” he added.

“There were plenty of teams who turned me down flat.

“An elephant never forgets. I have burned bridges with people, but I’m happy to do that with people and clubs I don’t particularly like.

“There is more politics in football than in the Houses of Parliament.

“I have come to Oldham, taken on a massive challenge and hopefully shown everybody that one, I’m not a bad egg, and two, that my football speaks for itself.

“Those voices disappear quickly when I do what I do on the pitch.”

Gerrard also believes that the run of form under Sheridan is worthy of wider recognition.

He said: “Little old Oldham, it’s not a fashionable club, is it? I don’t think people have taken notice of it.

“But they should have a look at the stats and the way we have changed things round since January 29.”

Whether or not tomorrow represents the start of the defender’s farewell tour, Gerrard is far from worried over the prospect of a trip to The Den.

“It’s just the same abuse, just with a stronger accent,” he said.

“I have given a bit back when they have given me a bit and they always take it in good jest, as all fans do.

“It doesn’t faze me. It’s just another ground.”