Gerrard’s Unwavering Priority: Halting Celtic’s Dominance
The immense pressure of managing Rangers was perfectly captured by a revealing anecdote from Steven Gerrard’s tenure, which underscores the singular importance of domestic success at Ibrox.
Gerrard, who famously ended Celtic’s bid for a historic tenth consecutive league title by delivering Rangers’ 55th championship in 2020/21, left no room for doubt when his players questioned the club’s priorities. This story resurfaces as current boss Russell Martin faces early pressure, with Rangers already four points adrift of their rivals and on the brink of a Champions League exit.
The Europa League or the Title? Gerrard’s Verdict
Former Rangers striker Kemar Roofe recalled the moment on the Undr The Cosh podcast. During a strong Europa League run, the players debated whether they would prefer to win the European competition or the Scottish Premiership.
“For me, I wanted to win the Europa League because you might not get that chance again,” Roofe explained. “The gaffer, Gerrard, he comes walking in, so we asked him. And he was saying, ‘No, it’s the league, we need to win the league.’”
Roofe, new to Scottish football at the time, didn’t initially understand the emphasis. Gerrard’s reasoning was unequivocal: the mission was to secure “the 55” and, most crucially, to stop Celtic from achieving a historic tenth straight title.
A Lesson in Rangers’ Reality
This stance resonates deeply with the Ibrox faithful, who now watch as Celtic close in on a fifth consecutive title. Gerrard’s focus on domestic glory over European prestige defines the essential job description for any Rangers manager: halt Celtic’s dominance at all costs.
The story also adds context to the current pressure at the club. After two draws, the team seeks its first league win against St Mirren, followed by a near-impossible task against Club Brugge and a critical early Old Firm derby.
Now a free agent after leaving Rangers last season, Roofe gained a full appreciation for the unique demands of the job. “With Rangers, to be a manager there, you have to have something about you,” he said. “You have to have big shoulders. The amount of pressure to be the manager there is huge.”
As speculation about a potential Gerrard return one day continues, this story serves as a potent reminder of what his primary objective would be: restore domestic supremacy.
