IT is ten years since Rangers last tasted title glory as Walter Smith’s side famously won the league in seven minutes against Kilmarnock. Nobody that was at Rugby Park for the crowning moment or at Ibrox for the celebrations that followed could have imagined what would unfold in the seasons to come.
From the depths of the Third Division, Rangers have now scaled the summit of the Premiership. It was christened as ‘The Journey’ and those seasons have been amongst the most remarkable in the club’s history.
Here, Herald and Times Sport looks back on each campaign as Rangers made their way back through the divisions and faltered in the top flight before finally emerging victorious under the guidance of Steven Gerrard.
SEASON 2011/12
Rangers manager Ally McCoist (left) celebrates with assistant Kenny McDowall
Rangers suffered early European exits at the hands of Malmo and Maribor, but Ally McCoist’s side did start the league campaign well. Cup defeats to Falkirk and Dundee United were inconsequential and a loss of form in the title race ultimately mattered little as Craig Whyte announced administration at Ibrox on Valentine’s Day. Rangers would finish the season worrying about a bleak and uncertain future rather than being concerned at failing to defend their SPL title.
SEASON 2012/13
Ally McCoist looks on during the IRN-BRU Scottish Third Division match between Queens Park and Rangers at Hampden Park
After the most controversial and tumultuous summer in Scottish football history, Rangers returned to action at Glebe Park. It was a new era as McCoist’s side of kids, journeymen and the likes of Neil Alexander, Lee Wallace and Lee McCulloch travelled the length and breadth of the country and would eventually win the Third Division before the end of March. Off-field issues continued to dominate the agenda but the first step on the road to recovery was taken.
SEASON 2013/14
The 2013 Rangers AGM
The title was won even earlier this time around but an unbeaten League One campaign was a slog for supporters that were more concerned with matters at boardroom level as the relationship between McCoist and Charles Green deteriorated. The defeat to Raith Rovers in the Challenge Cup final was the low point of a forgettable season in a football sense. The battle for control of the club was gathering pace and David Somers, Graham Wallace and Norman Crighton entered the narrative before Dave King called for season ticket money to be withheld by fans.
SEASON 2014/15
Dave King celebrates success at the EGM alongside John Gilligan (left) and Paul Murray (right).
The departure of McCoist in December, with Rangers trailing Hearts in the Championship title race, was followed by the momentous boardroom change in March as King, Paul Murray and John Gilligan ousted a regime that had been the target of fierce anger and protests from supporters. Stuart McCall would replace Kenny McDowall as boss but fail to win promotion as Rangers lost to Motherwell in the play-off finals. Despite all the negatives of a wretched campaign, this was a crucial season in turning around Rangers’ fortunes.
SEASON 2015/16
Mark Warburton (left) and David Weir
The Championship and Challenge Cup were won as Mark Warburton and David Weir overhauled the squad and gave fans reasons to be optimistic once again. The season would end with a painful defeat to Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final as shameful scenes followed the final whistle. Legacy issues, most significantly those relating to Mike Ashley, continued to plague King’s board as Rangers made as many front page headlines as back and found themselves the subject of more court battles.
SEASON 2016/17
Rangers vs Hamilton
A ‘Going for 55’ card display greeted Warburton’s side as Rangers returned to the Premiership but the Englishman would only last until February as his side found themselves in Celtic’s shadow. Graeme Murty had the first of his two stints as caretaker manager and the appointment of Pedro Caixinha was a disaster waiting to happen. Rangers lost to Celtic in the semis of both cups and the signs were ominous at Ibrox.
SEASON 2017/18
Pedro Caixinha
A campaign that started with Caixinha in a bush in Luxembourg and ended with Jimmy Nicholl in the dugout as pressure mounted on the board despite their huge financial backing. The Caixinha reign was a disaster and Murty lost 4-0 and 5-0 to Celtic as Wallace and Kenny Miller left Ibrox under a cloud. Rangers seemed as far away as ever but the arrival of Gerrard in May proved to be defining for the club.
SEASON 2018/19
Steven Gerrard
The first season under Gerrard ended with signs of real progress but no silverware as Rangers lost to Aberdeen in the cups. Their reputation was restored on the continent at least as Gerrard’s side qualified for the Europa League group stages and supporters had a manager and a squad to believe in at long last. In the Premiership, Celtic were beaten on an emotional afternoon at Ibrox but Rangers would falter in the second half of the season.
SEASON 2019/20
Rangers beat Braga at Ibrox
Another campaign of better, but not good enough overall as Rangers impressed in Europe and reached the last 16. The defeat to Celtic in the Betfred Cup final hurt Rangers and Gerrard was demoralised when Hearts beat his side at Tynecastle to end their silverware ambitions once again. A win at Parkhead gave them hope of a title challenge but Rangers would collapse after the break before Covid brought an early end to the season.
SEASON 2020/21
Steven Gerrard
Rangers were zero from seven under Gerrard when St Mirren inflicted their first defeat of the season in the Betfred Cup but the remainder of the campaign has been remarkable. Slavia Prague stand between Rangers and a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League as Gerrard’s side go from strength to strength on the continent. This term has been all about the Premiership, though, and title 55 has finally been secured.
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