STEVEN GERRARD has ticked off the list of firsts and marked the milestones one by one at Ibrox. He now stands on the brink of the ultimate achievement as Rangers manager.

Gerrard would reach 1,000 days in charge on Wednesday and tonight he will look to lead Rangers into the last 16 of the Europa League for the second consecutive season.

His finest moment is still to come, though, as Rangers attempt to collect the final seven points that are required to clinch the Premiership title and secure Gerrard's place amongst Ibrox legends.

Opportunities such as these are the reason that Gerrard made the move from Liverpool to Glasgow.

Steps back have been taken at times, but Rangers now stride forward with Gerrard at the helm.

“Just to remain balanced," he said when asked if he had taken one thing in particular from his first 1,000 days in management. "I’m not described as an experienced manager, I’m trying to become one.

“There were always going to be things from a personal point of view that I maybe got wrong throughout this.

READ MORE: Title 55 for Rangers will be simply the best as Steven Gerrard's side become immortalised at Ibrox

“The one big learning thing for me is to try and remain balanced, whatever the result is. Just try and stay in the same place - not get too carried away or get too down.

“I know it’s a cliche, but they say time flies when you’re having fun and I’ve loved every moment of it.

 

 

“I’m really privileged and honoured to be in this position. I’ve had my tough days and I’ve had my days when it’s been fantastic. I always knew that would be the case.

“But I feel like we are on the verge of something special here. We just have to be patient and keep doing what we’ve been doing since the first day of this season.

“That’s performing at a very consistent level. It was never going to change overnight in year one. Even with all the hard work and sacrifices we made in years one and two, we have been preparing for this moment.

Glasgow Times: Rangers manager Steven Gerrard

“Now it’s about grabbing that and rewarding ourselves for what we’ve put into this - not just me, but my staff and everyone together.

“The big thing we have put in place here is we have made everyone aligned from top to bottom. We want to go and reward ourselves for all the hard work everyone has put in."

The title that Rangers will win in the coming days will be the most celebrated and significant in the club's history and Gerrard and his players will have their own unique place in Ibrox folklore.

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The journey to 55 has been far from straightforward for the club. The same can be said for Gerrard and his tenure has been more evolution than revolution.

"I definitely feel there has been personal development," Gerrard said. "I have certainly evolved and learned a lot in the short space of time.

"Sitting here right now I have still not become a success. There is still work to do to try and achieve that.

"But without a doubt I feel I am a better manager, a better coach, a better person for my experience here at Rangers.

Glasgow Times: Steven Gerrard

"I knew what I was signing up to. I knew it wasn’t all going to be an upwards and forward journey. I knew there were going to a journey full of experiences, good and bad.

"I have loved it, loved every minute of it. I’m looking to the future but without a doubt the experience has made me better for it."

The mantra throughout Gerrard's reign has been one of not getting too high when he wins or too low when he loses. He may have deviated from that at times, but his mindset has stood him in good stead overall.

 

 

The Liverpool legend is now well-versed in the demands of nuances of Old Firm life and he was given a reminder of how difficult a city Glasgow can be to work in when Neil Lennon left his position as Celtic manager on Wednesday morning.

There can only be one winner here. After two failed campaigns, it is now Gerrard's turn to celebrate success and take the acclaim from fans.

“This is a tough job, a tough gig," Gerrard said. "Of course we will savour it when it comes. The important thing is we have to grab it and make it happen.

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“We have to finish it off, get over those last obstacles in our way. Teams are not going to make it easy for us. We have to execute the final part.

“If we do, everyone at this club will have earned the right to savour it and enjoy it.

“I’m one who uses setbacks and tough days to make me stronger and more determined. I’m someone who loves a challenge.

 

 

“We are all together here. No-one is looking forward to the day when it does come more than me but we will share it together.

“The most important people are the supporters. They’re the ones who have been on the journey from day one. They’ve had more tough days than me, so for me it’s all about them.”

The Premiership title has, this year just like any other, been the be-all and end-all for Rangers but their progress on the European stage cannot be overlooked or discounted.

Glasgow Times: Steven Gerrard

A dramatic 4-3 win over Royal Antwerp last week has set the stage for the return at Ibrox. Another box could be ticked this evening.

Gerrard said: "It's not about me is the truth. It's about the supporters, the club, the players.

"I totally respect the position I'm sitting in right now. We're on the verge of turning Europe into a successful season again by matching last season's efforts of reaching the last 16. But we've still got a big job to do.

"If we can do that it will be a real positive in terms of our journey. That will give us the determination to go one step further than last year from a European point of view.

"We're obviously on the verge in terms of the league campaign, which I'm extremely proud of.

"But my attitude and focus won't change until we go get it done. There's still work to do. There's still hurdles to get over and tough games on the horizon.

 

 

"But we're extremely determined to take the opportunities that we've got here right now. And that opportunity is to make Europe a success and to do the same in the league.

"It's a fantastic position to be in but we've got to go grab it now and really capitalise on the position we're in."