THE mantra of 'one game at a time' has become the stock stance for Steven Gerrard and his players this season as they have moved to within weeks of Premiership title glory.

It is an outlook and a message that has certainly stood them in good stead and one which many supporters have taken on board as well.

There are those that still seem anxious about what will unfold between now and the end of the season and it is only natural that fans don't want to get ahead of themselves now that Rangers are closer than ever to that elusive 55th title.

Given everything that the club endured and everything that it's followers have been through over the last decade, it is no surprise that the ultimate achievement continues to spook sections of the support despite all rational thinking pointing to the title race being over this term.

This league win will be savoured and celebrated regardless of where and when the final whistle blows and the success of Steven Gerrard and his players will become the most important and iconic in Rangers' illustrious history.

Those fans who know that the job has been done for some time have already started enjoying the feeling and there will be an outpouring of emotion when the sections of the support that are still nervous join in the celebrations and the party, in whatever shape that takes in these Covid times, really starts.

The message from within the club will be of one game at a time, of course. There has been a concerted effort not to mention the chances of winning 55 or stopping ten-in-a-row this season.

At times it has seemed as if Rangers feared that even speaking about the possibility would jinx their chances but this side is too good and too far ahead for words in a press conference or post-match interview to come back to haunt them now.

Once the job is done and the title is won, a change of tact in public would be no bad thing.

This is a remarkable, wonderful story that is unparalleled in sport and it deserves to be told to the world.

That time will come. Until then, Gerrard and his players won't alter their mindset.

There is a requirement for Rangers to get over the winning line as quickly as possible to ease the nerves of those at Ibrox and beyond and that is why the draw with Hamilton on Sunday provoked such a fierce reaction.

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It was a slack, uninspiring performance. The points dropped won't prove costly for Gerrard's side, but there is a willingness to see Rangers stride over the winning line rather than stumble.

 

 

There is another benefit to winning the league early and it comes on the continent.

The chance to prioritise European competition is one that rarely arises at Ibrox but that is the opportunity that Gerrard now has this term.

Rangers are still unlikely to win the Europa League, but there is no reason for them not to have a real crack at it and see how far they can go.

This is a side that is so adept and comfortable playing at that level and Gerrard's record in Europe is astonishing. So why not put all the eggs in that basket for a change?

After finishing ahead of Benfica and topping Group D to reach the knockout rounds for a second consecutive season, Gerrard's side have been handed a favourable last 32 draw against Royal Antwerp and they will make the trip to Belgium for the first leg next Thursday evening.

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Antwerp are currently seven points and four places better off than the Standard Liege outfit that Rangers beat twice in Group D but they are well off the pace being set by Club Brugge in the First Division.

The Gers will rightly fancy their chances of repeating their achievement from last term when they beat Braga and progressed to the last 16.

That will bank around £1million in prize money and boost the co-efficient once again as Scotland looks to claim a Champions League spot.

 

 

The draw was favourable for Rangers and interesting overall.

Some big names will have to exit early on as Braga face Roma, Manchester United take on Real Sociedad and Benfica go up against Arsenal at the first knockout stage and the competition could quickly open up this season.

It would still be a big ask for Gerrard's side to get to the latter stages, but overcoming Antwerp is a realistic ambition and the chance to then go one step further than last season would be another example of the incredible progress that Rangers have made in such a short period of time.

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Gerrard cannot ask his most reliable and trusted performers to play every game between now and the end of the campaign but he has the chance to tailor his approach if the Europa League is a real target for Rangers. It would be folly not to at least have a go.

 

 

A squad that was boosted by the arrivals of Jack Simpson and Scott Wright last month should be able to take the strain if Europe is prioritised ahead of a potentially unbeaten Premiership campaign or going beyond the 100 points barrier.

The Europa League has always been a bonus, albeit a much-needed one, for Gerrard but the Ibrox boss now has a chance to change his emphasis and make it a priority.

That is only possible because of Rangers' terrific efforts domestically and nothing will supersede the Premiership in terms of importance. That ambition has been achieved and will soon be celebrated.

Then Rangers can look to tick off their Europa League counterparts. One game at a time, of course.