Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has made some exciting comments in the club’s official souvenir magazine just as fans were given hope of returning to Ibrox en masse.
The majority of the Gers’ first-team squad returned to training on Monday and several friendlies were announced as the champions’ pre-season schedule takes shape.
It’s a hugely important month or so, particularly as Champions League qualifiers loom large.
Gerrard reflected fondly on the events of last season but didn’t dwell for too long, with the focus now very much on backing up his success with further titles.
Since arriving at Ibrox in the summer of 2018, he’s barely put a foot wrong in the media and his latest comments will have supporters raring to go.
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“For me, that is what being at this club is all about – it is about success, trophies and keeping that hunger and consistency moving forward,” said Gerrard when asked about expectations being raised [Glasgow Times]. “That hunger is either in you or it is not and I think the day when I don’t feel it is in me is the day I won’t get involved in football or I’ll call it a day.”
“But right now I feel really optimistic and excited about the future at Rangers. I want us to defend this championship with our lives and also attack 2021/22 with everything we have got, with hopefully all our fans back at Ibrox and at away games if the Coronavirus restrictions allow for that.
“So there is much to play for next season and with new faces in our squad there is no reason why we can’t go into it with great optimism, excitement and belief.”
As usual, Gerrard has hit the nail on the head here.
A league title win is great, particularly after such a long wait, but Rangers are all about sustained success and it’s key that he and his players keep the intensity up in order to press ahead while they have the edge on their rivals.
They may be aided by the return of supporters, too, with Jason Leitch, the National Clinical Director, suggesting over the weekend that all restrictions on event attendances in Scotland could be lifted on 9th or 10th August.
His comments reportedly sparked urgent talks between the SFA and the Scottish Government [Daily Record] but while it’s all hypothetical right now, there’s finally hope of Ibrox being full again and the manager can’t wait to give the fans more to cheer about.
Fans of an English club have responded with joy after their pre-season fixture against the Gers was confirmed.