GLOWING FOR 55
Gers move a point from prize that’s eluded them a decade
Get the Champagne uncorked. Get the red, white and blue ribbons on the trophy.
Steven Gerrard can even get that painter and decorator in at Auchenhowie now.
Because all of those 54s CAN now finally come off the walls at Rangers’ training ground and be replaced by 55s.
Officially, his team might still be a point away from clinching the Scottish Premiership title.
But unofficially, it’s done.
The Rangers players know it, Gerrard knows it – and the fans, who have craved this moment for a decade, certainly know it.
The Ibrox club can now afford to lose every one of the six games they’ve got left and still win the crown on goal difference.
But that won’t happen. And yesterday’s win over St Mirren sealed it – irrespective of what happens at Tannadice today when Celtic face Dundee United.
Whether it’s clinched on Tayside without kicking a bal l or at Parkhead under their own steam in a fortnight, it’s over.
Gerrard’s side thoroughly deserve the acclaim that’s coming their way. Goals from Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos and Ianis Hagi secured yet another three points against the Buddies that kept Gers unbeaten in the league.
Gerrard said: “The performance was strong, really mature.
“It epitomised our season because we have played with maturity and control throughout.
“On a monumental day for the club, this is probably the most important three points we have delivered. It’s another clean sheet and we could have won by more. Our goals were outstanding.”
Outside before kick-off, the fans started the party early. Thousands gathered to welcome their heroes with Gerrard’s car getting its own guard of honour into the stadium.
The manager said: “It was vital we connected with what was going on outside, respected it, but at the same time didn’t forget the game plan or what we had to do to get the three points.”
St Mirren are the only side to defeat Rangers domestically so far this season in the League Cup.
But Jim Goodwin’s men, who tried to get after the home side, could do little to stop them.
Gerrard made one change from the team who beat Livingston – recalling Hagi in place of Scott Arf ield, with the Romanian’s creativity required to break down the stubborn Saints. Goodwin’s
men were willing to press high at certain trigger points.
But when Rangers got into their hal f, Saints squeezed space between the lines. That’s when you need genuine quality to make a difference and in the likes of Kent, Hagi and Joe Aribo, Gerrard has that in abundance.
Kent col lected a Connor Goldson pass 20 yards out, chopped on to his left-foot and fizzed a stunner past Jak Alnwick.
It got Gerrard – who was serving a dugout ban – off his seat in the director’s box and the singing punters outside into full voice.
It was the start Rangers must have prayed for as they looked to get the job done early.
And it was complete two minutes later when Morelos made it 2-0. This time it was Glen Kamara producing a sublime pass down the side of St Mirren skipper Joe Shaughnessy and the Colombian fired back across Alnwick to score.
That put the game to bed, even if Buddies winger Dylan Connolly had a chance after a slackness from Hagi but slid his effort wide.
But it was curtains for Goodwin’s team within seconds of the second-half restart.
Kent got down the left far too easily and his cross found Hagi at the back post. He was able to take a touch to compose himself before giving Alnwick the eyes and slotting into the near corner.
The champions elect were now in cruise control.
They could afford to relax with a three- goal cushion. But that’s not their stylestyle. When Connolly tested Filip Helander on the right, Kent sprinted 50 yards to help the Swede snuff out any danger.
That just about summed up the mentality Gerrard has instilled.
At the other end, the winger cut inf ield to unleash another piledriver that was saved by the scrambling keeper’s legs.
The manager could afford the luxury of taking off Helander and Steven Davis for a rest before Thursday night’s Europa League tie against Slavia Prague.
Later, Hagi, Morelos and
Kent were also wrapped in cotton wool ahead of the trip to the Czech Republic.
Saints kept going, to their credit , and forced Al lan
McGregor into a top save. Jon Obika must have thought he’d pulled one back before the Rangers No.1 clawed his effort away.
Then Alnwick had to look lively to firstly tip sub Arfield’s effort over the bar, then deny Jermain Defoe a certain goal with a brilliant point-blank save.
Rangers were still pressing for a fourth and the fans were still singing outside.
At full-time, the players went to that corner of t he ground to celebrate with them. And with Gerrard’s side on the verge of achieving something special, that’s the only real shame – that those supporters can’t get into the stadium to see history.