Steve Gerrard pictured celebrating Rangers title win as fans defy lockdown
Steven Gerrard has been celebrating Rangers’ historic Scottish Premiership victory after his side were confirmed champions.
Celtic’s failure to beat Dundee United sparked wild scenes at Ibrox as fans congregated outside the ground in large numbers despite lockdown guidelines.
The title win is Rangers’ first since 2011 and 55th in the club’s history.
Gerrard, who took over as manager in 2018, was pictured in his car driving away from the stadium, pumping his fist after the triumph was confirmed.
Supporters also defied lockdown rules 24 hours earlier as Rangers beat St Mirren at Ibrox.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sent congratulations to the club but warned fans about gathering in large groups.
She tweeted: “I congratulate @ RangersFC on the title win & recognise what a moment this is for fans. But gathering in crowds just now risks lives, and could delay exit from lockdown for everyone else.
“If those gathering care at all about the safety of others & the country, they will go home.”
Gerrard has paid tribute to the collective effort that has lit up Rangers' path to their first title triumph in a decade.
Having spent so long in the shadow of their bitter rivals, Gers have now cantered to the title with six games to spare and will have the chance to rub their bitter rivals' faces in it in two weeks' time as they walk out at Celtic Park having already smashed the Hoops' reign of dominance.
While Gerrard had to rely on individual performances – with Alfredo Morelos usually the leading talisman – to get him through some sticky situations in his first two ultimately trophy-less seasons, this term the Light Blues' list of star men at times has numbered one to 11.
Skipper James Tavernier has contributed 17 goals from right-back, goalkeeper Allan McGregor and defender Connor Goldson will also be leading contenders for player of the year after forming a defensive wall that has conceded just nine league goals in 32 games so far.
In midfield, Steven Davis continues to put in vintage displays at the age of 36, while Morelos has timed his return to form to perfection with eight goals in the last 11 games seeing Gers over the line in the league and into the last 16 of the Europa League.
"In year one and year two we have at times been heavily reliant on certain individuals," said Gerrard, whose side now turn their attention to Thursday's Europa League clash with Slavia Prague. "It's taken us time to get the squad into this shape with this quality.
"I think the star is the team. There is no ego in the team. Everyone is playing together. There's a great spirit in the group.
"I think everyone – and me included – has expected at some point, as we got closer, to see some nerves or tension or some inexperience.
"But this shows the strength of the dressing room. There's a lot of fearless young players and some real calm heads. We've got the balance spot on at the moment.
"That doesn't mean we're set. We need to keep moving it forwards and improve things – and we will.
"But in the short term it's about getting them ready for two massive games now."
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