Rangers win first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years to end Celtic dominance

Rangers have been crowned Scottish Premiership champions for the first time since 2011 after Celtic were held to a goalless draw at Dundee United.

Rangers won its first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years on Sunday to complete its recovery from financial implosion and being forced to start again in the fourth division.

Celtic has dominated since Rangers was demoted to the lowest professional league in 2012 but has now been prevented from winning the title for an unprecedented 10th straight season, and for a 52nd time overall.

Steven Gerrard’s men have stormed to the title without losing a game to end Celtic’s stranglehold of a record-equalling nine consecutive Scottish league titles.

A world record 55th domestic league title — although some rivals will claim it is the reborn club’s first — was sealed after Glasgow rival Celtic drew 0-0 with Dundee United.

A Rangers statement read: “It’s title number 55 for the club – the most of any football club in the world – and the first in 10 years following one of the most arduous decades in the club’s history.”

Former England and Liverpool captain Gerrard had never won a league title during his legendary 17-year career at Anfield. ‘Stevie G’ came agonizingly close in 2014 to finally landing the one club prize that eluded him: The Premier League title. Adding to the anguish, Gerrard’s own slip against Chelsea contributed to a 2-0 loss that ended up costing Liverpool the title as Manchester City emerged victorious.

However, Gerrard has transformed Rangers’ fortunes both domestically and in Europe since taking his first senior managerial role in 2018.

Rangers supporters assembled outside the stadium appearing to greet Gerrard and his squad who briefly poked their heads out of the windows of the changing rooms.

Gerrard celebrated at Ibrox on Saturday

“Bubbling. Bubbling. I’m obviously really, really happy and proud right now,” said Gerrard after the St Mirren game.

“I can certainly relate to these emotions that I’ve had as a player.

“At the same time I want to stay controlled and humble because obviously it’s not confirmed as of yet.

“But I think everyone knows it’s 99.99 per cent done.

“Because of what’s going on right now in the world it’s very difficult to get carried away and celebrate for real if you like, so I’m trying to keep a lid on things.”

The success comes at the end of Gerrard’s third season at the club, and the Liverpool legend says the victory is for the club’s fans.

“I had a good idea what it would be like,” he said.

“The day I turned up here on May 4, 2018, I didn’t expect to turn up to 8,000 fans outside the stadium who had to be brought inside for safety reasons.

“So I had a real good idea that once we got that first big success together, which was always going to be the hardest, what the reaction would be like.

Rangers’ first match as champions will against Celtic in the Old Firm derby next weekend.

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