Steven Gerrard has officially left Rangers as the 41-year-old manager signs a three-and-a-half year deal at Aston Villa.
Rangers were first to announce the now ex-Ibrox manager’s appointment with Gary McAllister also set to leave Ibrox for Villa Park.
In a classy statement, Rangers paid tribute to the success of Gerrard and his team over the last three-and-a-half years and thanked him for his services.
“Rangers now has an outstanding, highly competitive playing squad which is capable of both winning and entertaining on all fronts, with the highest of standards now also prevalent throughout the football department,” reads the statement.
“In European competition, Rangers have qualified for group stage football for four successive seasons, and knockout-stage football in the last two, improving not only the club’s standing on the continent, but also that of Scottish Football.
“Domestically, Rangers have flourished under Gerrard, with that work culminating in the club claiming their 55th title last season on the back of an unbeaten league campaign.
“He now leaves Rangers with the club top of the Scottish Premiership with a Premier Sports Cup semi-final to look forward to and the opportunity to qualify yet again for the knockout stages of the Europa League still in the team’s own hands.”
Rangers chairman Douglas Park also extended his thanks to Gerrard and claims the former Liverpool star “has restored the good name and credibility of our club on the continent and leaves us in a very healthy position on the pitch”.
Sporting director Ross Wilson also said that the club “wish Steven nothing but success for his next chapter” as he paid tributed to the manager’s vision for Rangers.
The club rounded things off by saying:
“Rangers Football Club would like to put on record their thanks to Steven and his staff and wish them every success in the future. They will always be welcome at Ibrox.”
It’s classy stuff from Rangers and now attention will quickly turn to who will take over at Ibrox.
The fact Rangers never mentioned an interim manager will be a point of interest for supporters and something which perhaps suggests the hunt is already underway.
Rangers will be under pressure to get someone into the role as soon as possible with one fan favourite for the job previously saying he’d “love” the opportunity at Ibrox.
