IT is three years since Steven Gerrard was unveiled at Ibrox as the new manager of Rangers.
The former Liverpool captain’s first managerial role was seen as a risk by some and a coup by others. The month prior to Gerrard’s arrival, Rangers had been on the end of a 4-0 and 5-0 defeat to Celtic.
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Fast forward three years and it is the latter of those predictions which has proven to be most accurate.
Despite frailties in cup competitions, Gerrard has led Rangers to within two games of an unbeaten league campaign. Along with numerous memorable nights on the European stage throughout his tenure.
He was well acquainted with pressure throughout an illustrious career and played for one of the world’s biggest teams in Liverpool. However, reflecting on his three years in charge of Rangers Gerrard admitted it took him time to come to terms with the scale and size of his current club.
"I knew it was big but you educate yourself even more," he said. "You listen to ex-players, supporters, people who have worked at the training ground and Ibrox over many years, and you get more education in terms of the size and magnitude.
"I always knew it was an institution but when you go away on European games and are involved in Old Firms, and you're sampling it for yourself, this club has really blown me away in terms of size and stature."
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While this season has not been void of disappointment, defeats to St Mirren and St Johnstone in the League Cup and Scottish Cup have been the only blips in an otherwise swashbuckling season.
Rangers have beaten Celtic four times, are on course to break the lowest ever recorded goals against tally in Scottish football and break the 100 points mark.
There is however room for improvement which Gerrard admits will be the focus this summer.
"I'll be immensely proud of what we achieved, I'll reset myself and do whatever I need to do in the background to try and make this group as strong and competitive as I can," he said speaking to Sky Sports News.
💙"I can't believe it is three years already! This club has really blown me away in terms of size & stature."
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 4, 2021
Three years on from being named @RangersFC boss, Steven Gerrard exclusively reflects on life at Ibrox, the advice from #LFC boss Jurgen Klopp & what the future holds👇 pic.twitter.com/IzDSQhtRXq
"I'm as ambitious as anyone connected to this club. I want to try and get this club Champions League football and to defend our title with our life, and I want to put the cup thing right as it doesn't sit well with me.”
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