London
Rangers have spent nearly a decade in the doldrums but their revival under Steven Gerrard appears to be coming just in time to stop rivals Celtic from winning a historic 10th consecutive Scottish league title.
The club have had a bumpy ride since they last won the league in 2011. Financial troubles led to liquidation and the club were reformed in the fourth tier of Scottish football.
Rangers returned to the Scottish Premiership in 2016, but even then the turmoil did not end as three managers were dismissed in little over a year trying to bridge the chasm Celtic.
Now it is the blue half of the Glasgow divide that enjoy an 11-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and are outperforming their rivals on the European stage.
Gerrard’s men are unbeaten in 22 games in all competitions this season, confirming the steady progress he has made since landing his first senior managerial role in 2018.
The former Liverpool captain famously never won a league title as a player, but he will forever be hailed a Rangers’ hero if he denies Celtic the coveted 10-in-a-row. Gerrard has benefited from a level of patience scarcely afforded to Old Firm managers. He is the first Rangers manager to begin a third season in charge without winning a trophy in his first two.—AFP
