These Rangers players answered the call. And greatness is their reward. To me, winning this title is up there with the finest achievements in the club’s rich history.
You could say that none of their lives will ever be quite the same again. I know that from the happiest of personal experience.
Almost a quarter of a century after nine-in-a-row, Rangers fans from across the world still want to talk to me about it. It’s humbling to know you were part of something special. Now this Ibrox class of 2021 has created another story that will be told for years and decades to come.
These Rangers players will go down in history after delivering the club’s 55th league title
But Steven Gerrard can lead these players to greater heights and even more trophies in future
The exciting thing is that it may just be the first chapter under the outstanding management of Steven Gerrard. I honestly believe this team can become even better and deliver more trophies to Rangers. The future looks very bright.
For now, though, everyone involved in delivering 55 deserves to enjoy the moment. The journey for the club over the past decade has been long and difficult. Come the start of this season, the pressure was immense.
To go from there to winning the Premiership by March 7 is just a phenomenal feat. I don’t mind admitting I was a little emotional when it was confirmed on Sunday afternoon. I’m sure I speak for a lot of ecstatic former players when I say I could feel it in my stomach and in my heart.
We all knew it was coming, of course. We just didn’t know exactly when.
This had been built up as a tough, epic campaign. It was 55 v ten in a row. But an actual title race disappeared a couple of months back. That’s something we could never have anticipated in August.
Rangers were simply too good. It hasn’t just been about getting the job done. The style of football Rangers have played for much of the season — the identity Gerrard has put on this team — has been exceptional.
Knowing what was at stake, I sat down and watched the Dundee United v Celtic match on Sunday. That’s actually when it hit me that we are talking about 24 years since that goal for nine in a row at Tannadice. I got the ball straight to my head and didn’t really have to react. It just flew into the top corner!
Ianis Hagi (second-left) celebrates his goal, Rangers’ third, in a comfortable win over St Mirren
To have this title confirmed by another result at Tannadice — and for Celtic to officially lose ten in a row there — felt like a slightly strange piece of symmetry.
I have bumped into Rangers fans in so many different places and been asked about that day in 1997. It happens on Instagram, too. It meant so much to so many.
Now Gerrard’s players have been part of something similar. They will rightly celebrate, but the full enormity of what they have done won’t hit them yet. It can’t.
It will only be a number of years down the line when these players can look back and think: ‘Oh my God, I really was part of something that is so unique’. Time is needed for it to sink in.
Make no mistake, this team will go down in history. Some players might move on from Rangers, some might go and earn more money and have fantastic careers in different countries, but will they ever experience anything quite like this again? I’m not sure that’s possible. As I said, this is unique. It will stay with them forever.
I loved looking at clips of the dressing room celebrations after Saturday’s win over St Mirren. It doesn’t matter whether you are a young player or an older head, when you are able to enjoy something like that you want to experience it again. It’s absolutely addictive.
That’s what I mean about this, in one way, just being the start. There is still the Scottish Cup to come this year before the hunger for next season. The demands at Ibrox are always there.
Rangers players ran to the corner of Ibrox Stadium to celebrate with fans outside the ground
I look at this Rangers squad and think the balance of depth, talent and experience is almost perfect. There might have to be one or two changes this summer, depending on the transfer market, but if they can keep that balance then more titles can lie ahead.
I honestly believe this team can do even better than they have already. That might sound a little bizarre when they are unbeaten in the Premiership and Europa League at this stage of the campaign, but let me explain.
For so many in the dressing room, this will be the first trophy they have won. Some of the younger players will take an extra dimension from that. In fact, it will give something to everyone.
They were under the most intense scrutiny — particularly after the way last season ended — but came back, regrouped and delivered for the club when it was needed most. To have that knowledge, that faith in yourself, is a huge thing for a player.
Actually, I thought the St Mirren game was pretty close to being a perfect on-field finale. The performance contained so many of the elements that have made the season special.
Vibrant, attacking football was allied to the defensive excellence of another clean sheet. All of the front three scored. It has been fantastic to see the contributions of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Ianis Hagi in really driving Rangers over the line. Just behind them, you had Joe Aribo producing the excellent form that makes him such an important player.
Gerrard stuck his head out a dressing-room window to celebrate with supporters afterwards
Then you had the experience of the side. The control of Steven Davis, the assurance of Allan McGregor and the defensive leadership of Connor Goldson.
It all just clicked and you could see the confidence of the team is about as high as it could be. Not only are they doing it in Scotland, they have been doing it in the Europa League, too.
For all of that, they have Gerrard to thank. I have never actually met him. But I hope that someday when we go back to Scotland, I can shake his hand and congratulate him in person. To me, he sums up that old statement about form being temporary and class being permanent.
Gerrard had to go through a process to reach this point but he has proven he can win playing a style of football that I find a delight to watch.
Already a legend among Liverpool fans, he deserves the adoration he will now receive from the blue half of Glasgow.