10 years on from the last SPFL silverware, Rangers Trophy Day at Ibrox sticks to the script, despite a few Dons scares

Ruthless Rangers kept their focus to become history makers.

Steven Gerrard’s men displayed the cool, calm determination that won the title as they finished the season unbeaten.

A straightforward victory over Aberdeen, marked by a double from Kemar Roofe, ensured the squad of 2020-21 became Premiership Invincibles.

They finished the campaign on 102 points – the first time the club’s total has exceeded a century.

Their determination to maintain their high standards was evident throughout the final match.

A short spell when Aberdeen threatened and created a couple of chances after half-time got exactly the reaction Gerrard has spent three years weaving into his squad. Allan McGregor was barking his disapproval, while Connor Goldson scolded team-mates he felt should be sharper.

They had come for a title party but were determined the guests would leave with nothing more than a slice of cake.

Three years ago, that might not have happened. Rangers had a team with talent and a habit of crumbling when the going got tough.

The manager and his coaches have changed that mindset.

The question of how to achieve success in the domestic cup competitions remains, but at no point did Rangers look anything other than winners in the league.

Gerrard was very hopeful of bringing home Rangers’ first title in a decade but even he couldn’t have imagined it would be achieved without a single defeat.

He said: “It’s a special achievement. It’s very rare and that’s the reason why I’m so proud of the players, because they haven’t come off the gas from a league point of view.

“I got a really good feeling about pre-season on the back of last season. We had zoom calls, we had one-to-one meetings.

“We came back in pre-season and the focus felt different. We got off to a real strong start at Aberdeen. That was a key game to make a statement and we did that.

“We grew from that moment. At the turn of the year, not having a winter break helped us.

“Covid meant we couldn’t go anywhere. It didn’t make sense, it wasn’t right to go anywhere.

“We just needed a focus and that was to play games. We were lucky to be able to come to work.

“I think the Old Firm game in January was a massive. It was a big statement as we didn’t play well.

“To not play well against your nearest challenger and still win, that gave the players a lot of belief.

“That was a big, big moment in the title race.”

You wouldn’t have known it, but Gerrard admitted to a few butterflies before yesterday’s game. He went on: “I was nervous for the players because I didn’t want this moment to be spoiled by a poor performance

“I wanted the players leave a legacy this season. I wanted them to create their own story that people will remember for many years that they could tell their kids and their grandkids.”

The happy ending was written after only when five minutes when Aberdeen keeper Joe Lewis managed to palm James Tavernier’s deflected cross into his own net.

A second goal arrived when Ryan Kent surged down the left wing and Kemar Roofe nipped in ahead of three Dons’ defenders to flick the ball home.

Aberdeen were exceptionally passive in the first half but looked a lot livelier just after the break. They created four decent chances – the best fell to Lewis Ferguson but he somehow hit the underside of the bar from close range.

Having survived that brief flurry, Rangers set about adding to their goal tally. Hagi intercepted a Tommy Hoban pass and he set up Roofe for his second.

The fourth again stemmed from slack Aberdeen play as Dean Campbell played the ball back and gave it to Greg Stewart.

He found Jermain Defoe and the veteran striker jinked past two defenders before finishing.

Gerrard and Co. could then concentrate on the celebrations.

It was an emotional occasion for those who once feared for the very existence of the club.

Skipper James Tavernier lifted the league trophy to the sound of cheers and firecrackers from both inside and outside Ibrox.

Alfredo Morelos, as expected, was the life and soul of the party.

Wrapped in a Colombia flag, he took great pleasure in soaking his manager in Champagne .

Steven Gerrard joked that his striker would be fined for ruining his suit.

You suspect it’s one cheque he won’t have to sign.