ON THE ROAD: A legend in Liverpool, now Steven Gerrard is a GOD in Glasgow

Published on: 17 May 2021

Steven Gerrard began in the manner that he usually does in such moments. There was a fleeting recognition of the achievement, liberal praise for those around him and targets set for the future.

He is never anything other than switched on when cameras are rolling, always thinking about the words he uses. This time, though, Gerrard wasn’t giving the situation his full attention. You could see he was distracted, as his eyes kept darting to the right.

Perched next to him on a table was the Scottish Premiership trophy. Gerrard is no stranger to lifting cups in May and has faced the media at Wembley, in Cardiff, Dortmund and Istanbul with silverware shimmering beside him.

But, on this occasion, his manner was different. The expression on his face was like a child who had woken on Christmas morning and found the present of their dreams; in a state of disbelief, they keep touching it to make sure it is real, fearing that someone might take it away.

Gerrard had no need to worry. Nobody was taking this one from him. Rangers, under his outstanding leadership, have had a season for the ages — a history-making campaign that will be spoken about by future generations.

A 4-0 skewering of Aberdeen in game 38 ensured this Rangers squad became Invincibles, only the fourth Scottish team to achieve the feat. They amassed 102 points, scored 92 times and their miserly defence set records by keeping 26 clean sheets, conceding just 13 goals.

Gerrard’s default position was to say those numbers will be used against his team going forward but, after another glimpse at the trophy, he softened.

For once he talked about the magnitude of the moment, the emotion of it all. He was entitled to enjoy every single second.

‘I’ve been a professional since I was 17 and sometimes these moments pass you by when you’re younger,’ said Gerrard, who was aware he was celebrating this triumph on the 20th anniversary of Liverpool’s famous treble under Gerard Houllier.

‘But I won’t let another one of these moments pass me by again. What you have to sacrifice for moments like this family-wise — getting up really early, working late, sleeping through the night with stuff on your mind.

‘I wanted to enjoy this moment because it’s been a long time since I’ve smelled this success and the champagne. I absolutely stink (of it) right now. I want more of it and I’m as hungry as anyone. It’s in my DNA to go and fight for more. I’ve tried to instil that in my players since day one.

‘I wanted them to leave a legacy this season, to create their own story that people will remember for many years so that they could tell their kids and grandkids. All credit to the players, they have given me absolutely everything.’

More deflection. Gerrard would never say this but the players have only given everything because of the standards he has set with his trusted coaching staff, including long-time allies Tom Culshaw, Michael Beale and Gary McAllister.

When Gerrard walked into Rangers three years ago, he raised his eyebrows at what he saw. The club had become tired, the facilities were dated, but he has been central to a raising of expectations that culminated in Saturday’s crowning moment.

To be at Ibrox was to understand what he has done for this set of supporters.

On Friday evening, the party started — fans setting off red flares on the banks of the River Clyde; flights arriving from Belfast with supporters who simply wanted to be in a city that has been plastered with posters reading: ‘Steven Gerrard: Legend in Liverpool, God in Glasgow.’

It is a great shame that the celebrations got out of hand on Saturday, with five police officers injured and 28 arrests in the city after crowds had to be dispersed due to disorder, with missiles thrown. Rangers’ season does not deserve to be overshadowed by such trouble.

‘It’s a special achievement,’ said Gerrard, whose side secured their 32nd victory thanks to a Joe Lewis own goal, a Kemar Roofe double and Jermain Defoe’s late strike. ‘It’s very rare and that’s why I’m so proud of the players.

‘They haven’t come off the gas. We’ve done it with style and the players deserve all the credit.’

Not necessarily. The man who left the press conference with the trophy grabbed tightly in two hands deserved his share of the credit too.

Source: m.allfootballapp.com

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