Bruce Dias 
As time appears to be running out for yet another Rangers manager, with Philippe Clement facing increasing pressure as Celtic go hurtling toward yet another Scottish Premiership title, fans can’t help but reminiscent their successful era under former gaffer Steven Gerrard.
The ex-Liverpool captain completed the Gers’ stunning return to the pinnacle of Scottish football when he secured the club’s 55th league title in the 2020-21 campaign—stopping Celtic’s bid to win 10 straight trophies at the final hurdle, adding an extra layer of delight to the historic success.
There’s been little to celebrate in the top flight since that fruitful season. The Hoops have been on the warpath under former manager Ange Postecoglou and now Brendan Rodgers, stirring down the barrel of their fourth successive title as the heavy favourites in Scottish football betting.
It’s been particularly downhill for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership since Gerrard’s departure to Aston Villa in November 2021. Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale, and now Clement have all tried and failed to dislodge Celtic at the top of the table.
A Scottish Cup victory and a historic run to the Europa League under Van Bronckhorst, and a Scottish League Cup triumph for Clement last season have kept the silverware ticking over at Ibrox, but the Premiership is the club’s main aim each season, and there is obvious ground to be made.
With Rangers in a closer battle with Aberdeen for second than they are with Celtic for the title, it’s a sorry state of affairs south of the River Clyde. So, without further ado, let’s take a look back at Gerrard’s time at Ibrox.
2018-19: The Rebuild Begins
Having never managed at the senior level of the game, Rangers took a risk with the appointment of Gerrard—who had been overseeing the running of the youth squads at Liverpool after hanging up his boots with LA Galaxy in 2016.
The former Reds captain quickly put his mark on the squad with some robust signings, including Connor Goldson, Borna Barisic, Glen Karama, Alan McGregor, Scott Arfield, and Steven Davis, all of whom would be influential in Rangers’ title triumph further down the line.
The Gers reached the Europa League group stage for the first time since 2010-11 but failed to any advance further. They finished eight points adrift of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, plagued by inconsistent performances, and were knocked out of the cups in the semi-finals.
2019-20: Covid-Stricken Campaign
Rangers regressed somewhat domestically in a season overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, with lacklustre performances in the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup while sitting 13 points adrift of Celtic when the Premiership was curtailed.
What was notable was Rangers’ run to the last 16 of the Europa League. Gerrard’s men finished second in their group and progressed beyond the first knockout round with a 4-2 aggregate victory over Braga before finding Bayer Leverkusen a step too far.
2020-21: Scottish Champions
Gerrard’s most memorable season as Rangers boss unfortunately came behind closed doors, with the club’s faithful fans not allowed inside Ibrox to celebrate their first Scottish Premiership title in a decade.
The Gers won the title with incredible comfort, going unbeaten throughout the campaign with 32 wins and six draws to break the 100-point barrier and finish a remarkable 25 points clear of Celtic in second.
The cups both eluded Gerrard’s grasp once more, while Rangers once again reached the last 16 of the Europa League—this time being knocked out by Slavia Prague.
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As stated earlier, Gerrard left Ibrox in November 2021. Rangers were in a promising position, sitting multiple points clear of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership and the favourites for the title in the football odds, but collapsed and finished runners-up to the Hoops.
