RYAN KENT has detailed the shift in mentality that helped Rangers clinch the Premiership title at the third time of asking under Steven Gerrard's guidance.

Rangers stormed to the league flag last term as an unbeaten Premiership campaign saw them finish 25 points ahead of Celtic and end their Old Firm rivals' dreams of ten-in-a-row.

Gerrard had seen his side fall short in their two previous seasons as Rangers were unable to maintain the momentum during the second half of the title race and were left empty-handed on both occasions.

Glasgow Times: Ryan Kent of Rangers celebrates after scoring his team\'s first goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers Ross County at Ibrox

There was nothing that could stop the champions in their tracks last time out, however, and Kent - who scored the winner in the opening day win at Pittodrie - was pleased Rangers' mental gains paid off in such emphatic circumstances.

“It is always important to go and start on the right foot," Kent told the Rangers official souvenir magazine.

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"I think the manner in which we played and the result from that game [away to Aberdeen Aberdeen] was key to the way the season unfolded.

“But for myself, if you go back earlier in pre-season, you could tell that the level had gone up significantly.

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“The fitness and the quality were there and to win the trophy at the competition over in France was important as well as we knew that would stand us in good stead for the season.

“There was a lot going on outside the game but as soon as we came back in last summer, I think we needed to understand the winning mentality of football. That was the biggest thing.

“There were a lot of times last season when we played really well and came off the pitch with a draw or a loss and we couldn’t understand why.

“This year we’ve approached every game like it is a cup final and I think that switch in mentality is what has won us the trophy.

“That was our only expectation as well, to win the league. We knew it was there for the taking.

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“With the confidence and belief that was given to us by the coaching staff, we knew we could go and deliver it.

“We understood the circumstances of protecting Rangers’ legacy with nine-in-a-row. We knew it had to happen this year.

Glasgow Times: Rangers\' players celebrate Ryan Kent\'s goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Rangers at Pittodrie

“That was a non-negotiable, we had to go and lift that trophy and everybody bought into the philosophies and the ethos and what was being demanded by the coaches.

“We understood what the football club and the fans needed too. We’ve made a lot of sacrifices this year and made it happen so we can all be proud of that.”