A full feature length article on Rangers resurgence under Steven Gerrard has been produced by US broadcasting giants, ESPN.
On the ESPN website, written by Mark Ogden, the piece takes a deep dive into the recent past of the club, leading up to the current title chase.
It also features quotes from David Edgar of the popular ‘Heart and Hand’, Rangers fans podcast.
Further positivity on, and promotion of, the Rangers brand is always good news, especially to a massive audience across the US, Canada and further afield. The article is also accessible on the website’s UK domain.
In what is a recommended read in full, ESPN provide wider context around Gerrard, Liverpool and the Gers, for a more general audience, before focussing on the upward curve at Ibrox.
“In 2019, Gerrard told ESPN of the “wound that will not close,” his slip while playing for Liverpool against Chelsea in 2014, which led to a goal in a loss that blew Liverpool off course in the Premier League title race (eventually won by Manchester City). Liverpool’s collapse that year was not solely down to Gerrard’s moment of misfortune, far from it, but it became the defining image and the former midfielder would end his playing career having won every major club honour with the club apart from the Premier League.”
“In that context, his reticence when asked to focus on winning the Scottish title is perhaps understandable.”
“It doesn’t make any sense to be getting ahead of ourselves in terms of where we are right now,” are the quoted words from the Rangers manager.
Some inspection is provided on the fall to the lower leagues from 2012 to 2016, as well as the sting in the tail from a rampant Celtic at that time when Rangers returned to the Premiership under Mark Warburton, followed by Pedro Caixinha.
Revitalised
Fast forward to the present and Steven Gerrard’s Rangers are a different animal, a serious, proper football team – and club – once again.
As fans and club stand on the precipice of success after a long, hard journey, David Edgar sets the scene very well.
“There are lots of frustrations among Rangers fans about not being able to salute this wonderful team,” Edgar said. “But at least we have been winning, so in many ways, the team’s success has been a rare shining light for many people in such difficult times.”
“Some people think that football should have stopped completely during the pandemic, but you cannot quantify how the game has helped so many people through it.”
“But when or if (title) No. 55 is confirmed, there will be an explosion of joy and relief among Rangers fans and I just hope the authorities are prepared for that. They can’t be King Canute and hope that celebrations won’t happen.”
The feeling is palpable and growing.