Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FAT LADY CLEARS HER THROAT
Gers on the verge of a first title in a decade as a win over Saints takes them to within an inch of number 55
STEVEN GERRARD says he fully understands the excitement levels which drove Rangers fans to break lockdown rules and launch an pre-emptive title party on Ibrox’s doorstep.
Thousands of supporters carrying flags and smoke bombs breached stay-athome rules to welcome Gerrard and his team into the stadium ahead of their clash with St Mirren.
A 3-0 win over the Buddies leaves Gers on the verge of being crowned champions for the first time in a decade.
Gerrard said: “I’ve got to get my words right here – we are still experiencing and are involved in a pandemic. It’s important fans try to stay humble and safe. That’s the priority – people’s safety. I totally understand that.
“But at the same time, if you’ve got anything inside you or any part of your heart can understand what the fans have been through, you can totally understand what’s gone on outside this stadium.
“We heard the rumours about how it could be when we turned up at the stadium today. That can take you to an emotional place, a real high.
“Some of my new players haven’t seen the supporters yet, so it was a big eyeopener for them.
“On a really big, monumental day for the club this is probably the most important three points we have delivered.”
Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos struck within the space of two minutes to give Rangers a 2-0 lead at half-time and Romania midfielder Ianis Hagi added a third soon after the restart. Steven Gerrard’s side are now 21 points clear of Celtic, who will relinquish their Scottish crown to their arch-rivals if they fail to win at Dundee United at luchtime this afternoon.
Rangers maintained their 100 per cent home league record this season, while St Mirren stay in sixth place after their first defeat in five matches.
Hibernian, meanwhile, missed the chance to close the gap on Celtic as they lost 1-0 at St Johnstone.
Saints, who lifted the Scottish League Cup last week, sit two points behind St Mirren after Liam Craig’s curling effort sent Hibs spinning to back-to-back defeats.
Aberdeen were held to a goalless home draw by Hamilton and have now won only two of their last 13 league games.
Motherwell moved nine points clear of the bottom two thanks to Devante Cole’s double in a 3-1 home win against Livingston.