Fowler keen on following Gerrard's career path as managerial vacancy eyed

Liverpool hero Robbie Fowler could mimic Steven Gerrard by taking on a managerial role in the Scottish Premiership, according to reports.

Fowler, 46, is available for work after brief spells in charge of Australian side Brisbane Roar and Indian club East Bengal.

The former England striker also spent time as a player-manager in Thailand with Muangthong United and, like Gerrard, he previously held an academy coaching role at Liverpool.

Fowler left East Bengal by mutual consent in September after less than one year as manager and it appears he is keen to make a swift return to the dugout.

He has returned to the United Kingdom and has his eye on the Hibernian job after the Edinburgh club sacked Jack Ross following a run of seven defeats in nine league games.

That is according to Sky Sports, which reports Fowler is keen to hold talks with Hibs to become Ross' permanent successor, with former captain David Gray appointed caretaker in the meantime.

He may have been inspired to pursue a role in the Scottish top flight after witnessing Gerrard's steady progress during two-and-a-half years with Rangers.

The pair shared many fine seasons as Liverpool teammates and ex-midfielder Gerrard, 41, has subsequently embarked on a successful managerial career.

He won the Scottish Premiership with Rangers last season and returned to the Premier League to take charge of Aston Villa in November.

Gerrard's side gave a fine account of themselves as they travelled to Anfield to take on Jurgen Klopp's Reds on Saturday afternoon, although they fell to a 1-0 defeat thanks to Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty.

The Villa boss was aggrieved by the "harsh" decision to hand the hosts the spot kick after Tyrone Mings brought down Salah in the area, while he also thought his side should have been awarded one for Alisson's tangle with Danny Ings.

"I thought Liverpool were better in terms of general play," the 41-year-old told BBC Sport's Match of the Day.

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"Their style was better than ours, but we've done so well to contain them for large periods.

"Ultimately the game has been decided by a penalty. There were two penalty incidents in the game, Liverpool got theirs - if you look at that one, Salah fouls Mings first. We didn't get ours. It feels harsh.

"It's always hard to take when you lose football matches. We knew it was going to be a containing job. You have to ride the first 20 to 25 minutes against sides like this."