STEVEN GERRARD has always been quick to play down any comparisons and insist he isn’t spoken about in the same terms as his Ibrox predecessors whenever links have been made between Rangers’ illustrious history and their present successes.
He may never be able to beat some of the famous names in whose footsteps he is following as Rangers manager. He does have a chance to join them, though, and it is an opportunity which the champions have to make the most of this season.
Throughout his tenure, Gerrard has been respectful of the efforts of the legendary figures who held his office before him.
He would dismiss the similarities between his situation and that of Graeme Souness, while speak appreciatively of the assistance provided by Walter Smith and recognise the achievement of the likes of Dick Advocaat and Alex McLeish.
One Premiership title – even one as historic and as sought-after as 55 – doesn’t put Gerrard in the same bracket as those great names but sustained success would see him move up the pecking order in the coming years if Rangers continue to improve and impress at home and abroad.
It is said that the first trophy is the hardest to win and that has proven to be the case at Ibrox for quite some time.
Gerrard, having ended the decade-long wait for a league flag, has now cleared that hurdle and has the opportunity to quickly add a second to his CV as a manager.
That is what those great names from yesteryear achieved and what Gerrard must now do.
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He knows he cannot stop at one win and the standards and the drive that have taken Rangers to the title must be maintained as they set their sights on Hampden.
It is ten years since Rangers last completed a domestic double as Smith’s side added the Scottish Premier League to the League Cup they had won in March with victory over Celtic.
🎥 REACTION: Steven Gerrard spoke to @RangersTV after today's victory at Ibrox. pic.twitter.com/GpDwU64N1z
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 11, 2021
Two seasons previously, the title was secured at Tannadice and the Scottish Cup was lifted the following week and that victory – against a Falkirk side which included Scott Arfield – is the last time that Rangers have won on the final day of the domestic campaign.
It may only be a fourth round tie that they play on Sunday, but it was always going to be a hugely significant fixture regardless of the opposition.
The fact that Celtic now stand in their way only heightens the anticipation around it but the price of failure is as high as the rewards of victory.
Gerrard has spoken in recent weeks about focusing Rangers’ efforts on winning the Scottish Cup and there is a significant difference between lifting the league and doing the double.
This season will go down as a historic one for Rangers, and rightly so.
Yet there would be a sense of it being somewhat anti-climactic if the Premiership silverware is the only one that is placed in the Trophy Room come the end of May.
John Kennedy may think otherwise, but Rangers are the best team in Scotland right now and the league table confirms as much.
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Now Gerrard’s side must prove it on the park and a Scottish Cup triumph would be the perfect end to a season that has few blemishes.
The most significant of the black marks came in the Betfred Cup defeat to St Mirren and Gerrard was nought from seven in terms of trophies following that abject December night in Paisley.
The domestic cup competitions have not been kind to Gerrard thus far and that record must change if he is to build on the Premiership success and really emphasise Rangers’ superiority throughout what has been a dominant campaign.
Gerrard would lose to Aberdeen in both knock-out competitions in his first term, while the defeat to Celtic at Hampden in his second was arguably the lowest point of his reign to date.
That was surpassed a couple of months later when Hearts beat Rangers in the Scottish Cup and Gerrard’s side and their supporters would have to watch on as Celtic made history by going on to complete Trebles in each campaign.
READ MORE: Kemar Roofe details the standards and mindset that are driving Rangers' bid for Scottish Cup success
Had Rangers not turned in their most unfathomable performance of the season against the Buddies, a clean sweep of their own could have been on the cards.
As it stands, it is the double that is their target now and there would be a profound sense of regret if it was not achieved.
Another home win for @RangersFC as they defeated @HibernianFC 2-1 on Sunday .#SPFL #RANHIB pic.twitter.com/G5sUbzPHEr
— SPFL (@spfl) April 12, 2021
If Celtic can be overcome on Sunday, there is no reason why Rangers shouldn’t go on and lift the cup next month, although the ‘one game at a time’ mantra will remain in place until the final whistle is blown this term.
That achievement wouldn’t be as momentous for Rangers as a club or a support as title number 55, but it would be significant for Gerrard and his players as they seek to prove that they can deliver again and again.
That is the challenge now for Rangers. Their Premiership win marked the end of ‘The Journey’ but it must become be the starting point for a new era at Ibrox.
Gerrard’s place in the hearts and minds of supporters is unique given the job that he has done and the meaning of the title triumph, but he cannot yet be held in the same esteem as other successful managers of modern times until he has become a serial winner.
Given everything that he has done at Ibrox over his first three seasons, that feat is more than achievable in the ones to come.
And there would be no better time than the present for another box to be ticked as Gerrard attempts to add to his hero status with Rangers.
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